Podocarpus acutifolius

For other plant species also known as totara, see List of plants known as totara.

Podocarpus acutifolius, commonly called needle-leaved tōtara, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae.^[2] This species is endemic to New Zealand.

Podocarpus acutifolius
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Araucariales
Family:	Podocarpaceae
Genus:	Podocarpus
Species:	P. acutifolius
Binomial name
Podocarpus acutifolius Kirk

Etymology

The specific epithet, acutifolius, meaning "thorny leaves", is derived from Latin acutus (pointed, acute), and -folius (-leaved), and refers to the characteristic shape of the leaves.^[3]

Distribution

This species is found in the South Island from northern Marlborough westward and south to southern Westland.^[4] Its natural habitat is lowland and montane forest and scrub.^[4]

References

1. Farjon, A. (2013). "Podocarpus acutifolius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T42485A2982491. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42485A2982491.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
2. "Story: Conifers". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
3. Eggli, Urs; Newton, Leonard E. (2004). Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. p. 2. ISBN 978-3-540-00489-9. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
4. Eagle, Audrey (2008). Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand volume one. Wellington: Te Papa Press. p. 10. ISBN 9780909010089.