About Podocarpus elatus R.Br. ex Endl.
Podocarpus elatus, commonly called plum pine, brown pine, Illawarra plum, or Queensland Christmas tree, is a species of the genus Podocarpus. It is endemic to the east coast of Australia, specifically found in eastern New South Wales and eastern Queensland. This is a medium to large evergreen tree that grows 30 to 36 metres tall, with a trunk that can reach up to 1.5 metres in diameter. Its leaves are lanceolate, measuring 5 to 15 centimetres long and 6 to 18 millimetres wide; leaves on vigorous young trees can grow up to 25 centimetres long. The seed cones of this species are dark blue-purple and resemble berries, with a fleshy base 2 to 2.5 centimetres in diameter that holds a single oval or globose seed 1 centimetre in diameter. The fleshy portion of the seed cone is edible, and is used in condiments. Its timber was historically highly valued for furniture, joinery, boat planking, lining, and salt water piles. Podocarpus elatus is grown as an attractive ornamental tree. In older Australian suburbs, it is used as an ornamental street tree, for example along Baldry Street in Chatswood. In Australia, the fruit of this tree is used as a suitable alternative to sloe berries to make sloe-style gins.
