Family: Podocarpaceae
Afrocarpus manii (pinheiro da terra, São Tomé yellow-wood) is a slow-growing conifer in the podocarp family, native to the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. This evergreen tree can reach over 30 meters in height and is recognized for its straight trunk, dark green needle-like leaves, and small fleshy cones. It grows in moist tropical forests, often on mountain slopes, where it plays an important role in the native ecosystem. The species is considered threatened in its native range due to habitat loss and overharvesting for timber.
Afrocarpus manii is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, though it is showing signs of potentially naturalizing at Lyon Arboretum on Oʻahu. While prized as an ornamental or for specialty timber in some regions, its slow growth and ecological requirements make it less likely to spread aggressively outside its native habitat. As with any non-native species, planting should be approached with caution, but this species is not currently regarded as invasive in Hawaiʻi.
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in tropical climates (conducive to spreading further in tropical island ecosystems)
- Locally naturalizing in Lyon Arboretum, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands
- Produces viable seeds
- Large seeds potentially dispersed by birds, other animals and intentionally by people
- Seeds may form a persistent seed bank
- Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy or risk prediction
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of detrimental impacts, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Relatively large seeds reduce risk of inadvertent or long-distance dispersal
