Podocarpus totara: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:11, 21 February 2025

Podocarpus totara

Podocarpus totara, commonly known as tōtara, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae, endemic to New Zealand. It is a large tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 2 meters. Tōtara is known for its durable timber and cultural significance to the Māori people.

Description[edit]

Podocarpus totara is a slow-growing, evergreen tree. The leaves are needle-like, 2 to 4 cm long, and arranged spirally on the branches. The bark is thick, stringy, and reddish-brown, peeling off in long strips. The tree produces small, fleshy, red or purple fruit, which are an important food source for native birds.

Habitat[edit]

Tōtara is found throughout New Zealand, from lowland forests to montane regions. It prefers well-drained soils and can often be found on river terraces and in mixed podocarp/broadleaf forests. The tree is tolerant of a range of climatic conditions but is most commonly found in areas with high rainfall.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Tōtara holds significant cultural value for the Māori people. The wood is highly prized for its durability and workability, making it ideal for carving waka (canoes), wharenui (meeting houses), and other important structures. The bark and leaves have also been used in traditional medicine.

Conservation[edit]

While tōtara is not currently considered threatened, its habitat has been reduced due to land clearance for agriculture and urban development. Conservation efforts focus on protecting existing forests and promoting the planting of tōtara in reforestation projects.

Notable Specimens[edit]

One of the most famous tōtara trees is the Pouakani Tree, located near Mangakino in the North Island. It is the largest known living tōtara, with a height of over 35 meters and a trunk circumference of more than 4 meters. This tree is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of New Zealand's natural heritage.

Related Pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Species of conifer}}
+Podocarpus totara
-{{Taxobox
-| name = Podocarpus totara
-| image = Podocarpus totara.jpg
-| image_caption = Podocarpus totara foliage and cones
-| regnum = [[Plantae]]
-| divisio = [[Pinophyta]]
-| classis = [[Pinopsida]]
-| ordo = [[Pinales]]
-| familia = [[Podocarpaceae]]
-| genus = ''[[Podocarpus]]''
-| species = '''''P. totara'''''
-| binomial = ''Podocarpus totara''
-| binomial_authority = [[David Don|D.Don]]
-}}
-'''''Podocarpus totara''''', commonly known as '''t_tara''', is a species of [[conifer]] in the family [[Podocarpaceae]]. It is endemic to [[New Zealand]] and is one of the most important native trees in the country, both ecologically and culturally.
+[[File:Pouakani,_the_famous_giant_tōtara.jpg|thumb|right|Pouakani, the famous giant tōtara]]
+'''Podocarpus totara''', commonly known as '''tōtara''', is a species of [[conifer]] in the family [[Podocarpaceae]], endemic to [[New Zealand]]. It is a large tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 2 meters. Tōtara is known for its durable timber and cultural significance to the [[Māori people]].
 ==Description==
-''Podocarpus totara'' is a large evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 meters in height and 2 meters in trunk diameter. The bark is thick, corky, and furrowed, providing protection against fire and physical damage. The leaves are needle-like, 2–4 cm long, and arranged spirally on the branches. The tree is dioecious, meaning that male and female reproductive structures are found on separate trees.
+[[File:Podocarpus_totara_Weheka_MRD.jpg|thumb|left|Podocarpus totara foliage]]
-[[File:Podocarpus totara foliage.jpg|thumb|left|Foliage of ''Podocarpus totara'']]
+Podocarpus totara is a slow-growing, evergreen tree. The leaves are needle-like, 2 to 4 cm long, and arranged spirally on the branches. The bark is thick, stringy, and reddish-brown, peeling off in long strips. The tree produces small, fleshy, red or purple fruit, which are an important food source for native birds.
-The male cones are small and cylindrical, while the female cones are larger and develop into a fleshy, berry-like structure known as an aril, which contains a single seed. The aril is red when mature and is an important food source for native birds.
+==Habitat==
-==Habitat and Distribution==
+Tōtara is found throughout New Zealand, from lowland forests to montane regions. It prefers well-drained soils and can often be found on river terraces and in mixed podocarp/broadleaf forests. The tree is tolerant of a range of climatic conditions but is most commonly found in areas with high rainfall.
-''Podocarpus totara'' is found throughout New Zealand, from lowland forests to montane regions. It thrives in a variety of soil types but prefers well-drained soils. T_tara is often found in mixed forests alongside other native species such as [[rimu]], [[matai]], and [[kahikatea]].
-==Ecological Role==
-As a long-lived species, ''Podocarpus totara'' plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems. It provides habitat and food for a variety of [[New Zealand native birds|native birds]], including the [[kerer_]] and [[k_k_]], which help disperse its seeds. The tree's dense foliage offers shelter for numerous invertebrates and other small animals.
 ==Cultural Significance==
-T_tara holds significant cultural value for the [[M_ori people]]. The wood is highly prized for its durability and workability, making it ideal for carving [[waka]] (canoes), [[wharenui]] (meeting houses), and other traditional structures. The bark and leaves have also been used in traditional medicine.
-[[File:Podocarpus totara bark.jpg|thumb|right|Bark of ''Podocarpus totara'']]
+Tōtara holds significant cultural value for the Māori people. The wood is highly prized for its durability and workability, making it ideal for carving [[waka]] (canoes), [[wharenui]] (meeting houses), and other important structures. The bark and leaves have also been used in traditional medicine.
 ==Conservation==
-While ''Podocarpus totara'' is not currently considered threatened, its habitat has been reduced due to land conversion for agriculture and urban development. Conservation efforts focus on protecting existing forests and promoting the regeneration of native species.
-==Related pages==
+While tōtara is not currently considered threatened, its habitat has been reduced due to land clearance for agriculture and urban development. Conservation efforts focus on protecting existing forests and promoting the planting of tōtara in reforestation projects.
+==Notable Specimens==
+[[File:Largest_known_living_tōtara,_the_Pouakani_Tree.jpg|thumb|right|Largest known living tōtara, the Pouakani Tree]]
+One of the most famous tōtara trees is the Pouakani Tree, located near [[Mangakino]] in the North Island. It is the largest known living tōtara, with a height of over 35 meters and a trunk circumference of more than 4 meters. This tree is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of New Zealand's natural heritage.
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Podocarpaceae]]
+* [[Conifer]]
+* [[Māori culture]]
 * [[New Zealand native trees]]
-* [[M_ori culture]]
+[[File:Prouse_Bush_Totara.jpg|thumb|left|Tōtara trees in Prouse Bush]]
 [[Category:Podocarpaceae]]
-[[Category:Flora of New Zealand]]
 [[Category:Trees of New Zealand]]
+[[Category:Endemic flora of New Zealand]]