Black Pine
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Sol. ex D.Don) de Laub.
Prumnopitys taxifolia, known as Black Pine or mataī, is a dioecious evergreen conifer in the Podocarpaceae family. It grows up to 30 metres tall with a trunk up to 2 m in diameter. Endemic to New Zealand, it is found in the North and South Islands and on Stewart Island, though it is rare there. The species is slow-growing, shade-tolerant, and exhibits a distinct juvenile form resembling a wiry shrub that can persist for up to 60 years. It has an average lifespan of 600 years, with some individuals living over 1000 years.
Description
Prumnopitys taxifolia is a coniferous tree native to New Zealand, inhabiting lowland to montane forests. It is characterized by its prolonged juvenile phase and heteroblastic growth pattern. The species is long-lived and adapts well to shaded environments. Its distribution is limited to the North and South Islands and Stewart Island, with the latter having only sparse populations. The tree's unique growth form and longevity make it a notable component of New Zealand's native forests.
Other common names
Black PineMataiblack-pine
Distribution
Global · New Zealand North · New Zealand South
Synonyms
Nageia spicataStachycarpus spicatusPodocarpus spicatusDacrydium maiDacrydium taxifolium
