Illawarra Plum | Plum Pine – Podocarpus elatus
The Illawarra Plum, Podocarpus elatus, also known as Plum Pine and Brown Pine, is a sub-tropical, medium to large-sized evergreen, fruit bearing tree, growing to 30-36 meters high with a trunk up to 1.5 meters in diameter. Illawarra Plum is an indigenous plant to the east coast of Australia, in eastern New South Wales and eastern Queensland.
The Podocarpus elatus leaves are pointed, usually 5-15cm long but up to 25cm long on vigorous young trees and 0.5-2cm wide. Podocarpus elatus doesn’t have cones like the other coniferous trees but alternatively have a single berry-like seed cone connected by a fleshy stem to the branch. Male and female seed cones are found on different trees.
The seed cones of the Illawarra Plum are dark red or blue-purple, berry-like, with a fleshy base 2-2.5 cm diameter, which conveniently grows its single rounded or spherical stone, 1cm in diameter, on the exterior of the fruit. The fleshy part of the seed cone is edible.
Illawarra Plum Fruit
The berry-like fruit is plum-like in flavor but less sweet and with a pleasing, subtle resinous tone. It is used in condiments. It compliments chili and garlic but also utilized in cakes and other sweet dishes.
Illawarra Plum Propagation Methods
Plant propagation is by seed. It takes 8 to 10 years for the seedlings to reach maturity. The timber of the Illawarra Plum was prized for furniture, cabinetmaking, boat planking, lining and piles in salt water. It is fire tolerant tree contrary to most other conifers. It is also an appealing ornamental tree. Podocarpus elatus is a member of the Podocarpaceae family the genus Podocarpus.
Illawarra Plum, Podocarpus elatus
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