Family: Podocarpaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Dacrycarpus imbricatus, commonly known as kajoerapat, kimerah, or podocarp, is a tall conifer native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and surrounding regions. In its native range it can grow into a large forest tree with a straight trunk and dense, conical crown. Its small, overlapping, scale-like leaves give it a fine-textured appearance, and it produces small, berry-like seed structures typical of podocarps. Because of its attractive form and evergreen foliage, it has been planted in tropical and subtropical areas as an ornamental tree, windbreak, and for reforestation. In Hawai‘i, it is naturalized on Oʻahu and Lānaʻi.

Risks, Threats & Management
Although valued as an ornamental and forestry species, Dacrycarpus imbricatus is naturalized in Hawaiʻi and possesses traits that raise concern. As a long-lived, shade-tolerant tree capable of establishing in forested environments, it has the potential to spread beyond cultivation and compete with native plants. In island ecosystems, introduced trees that reproduce and persist in natural areas can alter forest structure, displace native species, and change habitat conditions over time. Caution is recommended when planting this species to ensure it does not expand its range or negatively impact Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems. Where possible, consider choosing non-invasive or native alternatives and monitor existing plantings for signs of spread.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 3000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Grows in tropical climates (climate of Hawaiian Islands unlikely to be a limiting factor)
  
• Naturalized in Lyon Arboretum, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands
  
• Shade-tolerant when young (able to establish in forest understories)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms pure stands in native range
  
• Reproduces by bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates fire and able to form basal sprouts (possible coppicing ability)

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of negative or detrimental impacts to date (but only reported as naturalized in Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Slow growth rate and presumably long time to reproductive maturity (exact age unknown)
  
• Seeds germinate rapidly and do not form a persistent soil seed bank