BUDDHIST PINE
PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS
Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple
Metta Building
Metta School
Seletar C C Hole 18 Tee
Seletar CC Hole 16(A) Green
Podocarpus macrophyllus (Kusamaki or Inumaki) is a conifer in the genus Podocarpus,
family Podocarpaceae. It is the northernmost species of the genus, native to southern
Japan and southern China. Kusamaki (クサマキ) and Inumaki (犬槇) are Japanese
names for this tree, and Kusamaki is increasingly being used as the English name as well,
replacing the old, botanically inaccurate names "buddhist pine" and "fern pine" (it is not a
pine). In China, it is known as 羅漢松 luo han song.
Kusamaki is the state tree of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is a popular large shrub or small
tree in gardens, particularly in Japan and the southeastern United States. The ripe cone
arils are edible, though the seed should not be eaten. Because resistance to termite and
rain (or water), inumaki is used for quality wooden house in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus) in Hong Kong is regarded as a Fung Shui tree,
thus having a very high market value. In recent years, the illegal digging of Buddhist Pine
has become a problem in the city.
Singapore Locations:
NParks FloraWeb:
Family: Podocarpaceae
Common Name: Buddhist Pine, Big-leaved Podocarp, Japanese Yew, Big-leaved Podocarpus
Origin: Japan
Leaf Colour: Green
Description
Form
It is a small to medium size evergreen tree, reaching 20 m tall.
GPBT
Leaves
The leaves are strap-shaped, 6-12 cm long, and about 1 cm broad, with a central midrib.
Flowers
The flowers are actually pollen cones are borne on a short stem, and have 2-4 scales,
usually only one (sometimes two) fertile, each fertile scale bearing a single apical seed
10-15 mm. When mature, the scales swell up and become reddish purple, fleshy and
berry-like, 10-20 mm long; they are then eaten by birds, which disperse the seeds in their
droppings.
Fruits
The seeds are small, green, rounded about 1 cm.
Trunk
The bark is smooth and reddish brown. The wood is resistant to water and termites,
considered premium timber.
FLOWERING TIMINGS
J
Leaves
Flowers
Fruits
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
X
X
X
X
N
D
Growing from Seeds
1.
Collect seeds from tree
2.
Remove the red/purple berry and discard
3.
Fill bottom of pot with LECA
4.
Fill with potting mix, or small LECA, or gravel
5.
Cover with thin layer of gravel. Water with sprayer daily.
6.
Seeds germinate in 5 - 6 weeks
7.
Remove seed husks when loosen
8.
Add diluted liquid fertilizer once a month
9.
Can last for 2 to 3 years