Family: Podocarpaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Podocarpus henkelii, commonly known as long-leafed yellowwood, is a tall evergreen conifer native to eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Tanzania to South Africa. It is valued as an ornamental and shade tree because of its graceful, drooping foliage, straight trunk, and attractive pyramidal form when young. Mature trees can become quite large and stately, making them popular for parks, large landscapes, and avenue plantings. The narrow, dark green leaves give the tree a soft, elegant appearance, and its durable wood has also been used for timber in its native range.

Risks & Threats
Although Podocarpus henkelii is not known to be naturalized in Hawaii, it does possess traits that are cause for concern. Like other podocarp species, it produces fleshy seed structures that may be spread by birds and other animals, potentially allowing seedlings to establish away from planted areas. Its tolerance of a variety of environmental conditions and ability to grow into a large, long-lived tree suggest that caution is recommended to ensure that it will not negatively impact Hawaii’s ecosystems. Ongoing evaluation is needed to better understand its behavior and potential risk in tropical island environments.

High Risk Traits:

• Congeneric (P. nagi) is invasive
  
• Toxic to humans (seeds and all parts)
  
• Host for fungal pathogen (black coral spot)
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• Intentionally spread by people (ornamental)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Tolerates wide range of soils
  
• Broad climate suitability (USDA zones 7b–11)
  
• Native to subtropical/tropical climate

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized outside native range
  
• No evidence of weediness (garden, agricultural, environmental)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Dioecious (not self-compatible)
  
• No prolific seed production
  
• No persistent seed bank (recalcitrant seeds)
  
• Fire-sensitive (does not resprout)