PODOCARPUS NIVALIS, Hook. f. 
THE ALPINE TOTARA. 
OrdDER—CONIFERA. 
TRIBEWPODOCARPEA. 
(Plate XL.) 
Tuis small species was originally discovered near the limits of perpetual snow 
on Tongariro by Mr. Bidwill, and described by Sir Wilham Jackson Hooker, in 
“Tcones Plantarum,’’* under its present name, although the genus was con- 
sidered doubtful, the fruit being unknown. It was subsequently discovered by 
Mr. Colenso, F.R.S., on the Ruahine Mountains, and has been found in numerous 
localities in the mountains of the South Island. 
In sheltered situations, such as the upper margins of beech-forests, it forms 
an erect or sub-erect shrub, 2ft. to Oft. high, with numerous close-set rigid 
branches; but in exposed places it is little more than a low bush with spreading 
prostrate rigid branches, which give off roots from the under-surface. New 
branches constantly grow outwards, so that in course of time broad masses are 
formed from a few inches to aft. or 3ft. in height, and many yards in diameter. 
Very rarely the central stem may be gin. or loin. in diameter on the surface of 
the ground, but usually it is not more than gin. or 5in. 
The leaves are brown and crowded, rarely exceeding #in. in length, and are 
sometimes less than }in.: they are perfectly smooth, linear, sessile or narrowed 
at the base into an extremely short stalk, less than ~yin. in width, obtuse, with 
the mid-rib slightly produced beyond the apex, forming a short point or apiculus. 
Male catkins rather longer than the leaves, solitary or in fascicles of from two to 
four on short peduncles. The female flowers are solitary, and are carried on 
very short peduncles. Fruit, an ovoid nut borne on a pulpy swollen base formed 
of two carpellary leaves, crimson. The flowers are produced in December and 
January. 
PROPERTIES AND USEs. 
This plant is of considerable value from its spreading and rooting habit, as 
it serves to bind the loose shingle and soil of steep mountain-slopes, thus pre- 
venting landslips. The wood 1s very durable, but of too small dimensions to be 
generally utilised, although in all probability tar might be extracted from it. 
In ‘The Handbook of the New Zealand Flora”’ this plant is stated to be 
from 1ft. to 2oft. high, with a stem 3ft.in diameter, I have seen no specimens 
approaching these dimensions. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. 
See under Podocarpus spicata, p. 6, ante. 
Podocarpus nivalis belongs to the section Eupodocarpus, which also includes 
the following New Zealand species: eae Halin, I. Wirk; Podocarpus 
Totara, Don; Podocarpus ferruginea, Don; Podocarpus acutifolius, TY. Kirk, 
* Icones Plantarum, t. DLXxxI1, 
V7 
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