Family: Podocarpaceae

African fern pine is a straight-growing tree with a dense, upright crown.

Extremely long-lived, some trees are 1,500 years old. Valued for its yellow wood, it was over logged for ship masts, beams, rafters, and other construction. Today, it is protected from harvesting in its native land of South Africa. Due to its extensive range and ease of propagation, the populations have bounced back. This tall coniferous tree can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or air layering.

Plant Uses:

• Hedge
• Privacy / screening
• Shade
• Windbreak

Plant Dangers:

• Toxic to humans

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (elevation 10-3000m; wide rainfall/temp range)
  
• Native or naturalized in tropical/subtropical regions
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Shade tolerant (at some life stage)
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Self-compatible (wind-pollinated, out-crossing possible)
  
• Bird-dispersed propagules
  
• Propagules survive passage through gut
  
• Forms persistent propagule bank (germination delayed ~1 year)
  
• Tolerates mutilation/cultivation (responds to trimming)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of weediness (gardening, agricultural, environmental, or congeneric)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not toxic to animals or humans
  
• Not a fire hazard
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• No vegetative fragmentation
  
• Minimal generative time ~4+ years (slow to mature)
  
• Propagules not wind-dispersed, water-dispersed, or externally carried by animals
  
• No prolific seed production (>1000/m²)