The Real Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius) is a large evergreentree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae. It is widespread in the moister southern and eastern areas of South Africa, from coastal Western Cape Province east to KwaZulu-Natal Province and north to eastern Limpopo Province. The Real Yellowwood has been declared the national tree of South Africa.
The leaves are strap-shaped, 25–40 mm long on mature trees, larger, to 100 mm long, on vigorous young trees, and 6–12 mm broad, with a bluntly pointed tip. The cones are berry-like, with a single (rarely two) 7–11 mm seed apical on an 8–14 mm pink-purple aril; the aril is edible and sweet. The male (pollen) cones are 10–30 mm long.
It is a slow-growing tree. The wood is hard, similar to yew wood, used for furniture, panelling, etc. Due to past over-exploitation, little is now cut.
The realyellowwood grows naturally in mountainous areas and forests in the southern, eastern and northern parts of South Africa, extending into Zimbabwe and further north.
The realyellowwood was used a lot for tables and cupboards, as it polishes up very well.
The realyellowwood is slow-growing, but very long-lived and it is able to withstand some frost.
The RealYellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius) is a large evergreentree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae.
The RealYellowwood has been declared the national tree of South Africa.
The leaves are strap-shaped, 25–40 mm long on mature trees, larger, to 100 mm long, on vigorous young trees, and 6–12 mm broad, with a bluntly pointed tip.
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