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Products > Podocarpus elongatus 'Monmal'
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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Podocarpaceae (Podocarps) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Insignificant |
| Bloomtime: Not Significant |
| Synonyms: [P. elongatus 'Green Frost'] |
| Height: 40-50 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Podocarpus elongatus 'Monmal' (Blue Ice Yellowwood) - A beautiful upright slow growing evergreen shrub or small tree that will ultimately grow to 15 to 25 feet tall with a upright pyramidal form. It has narrow 2 inch long leaves that emerge a light green-blue color and age to an unusual cool gray-blue. Plant in full to part sun or light shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally. Cold hardy to short duration temperatures down to 20°F to 25°F and useful in USDA Zones 9-11. Some report it surviving in gardens in USDA Zone 7b with protection while others note that tips freeze at temperatures below 25°F. The American Conifer Society notes that after 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 10 to 12 feet tall by 4.5 feet wide with an annual growth rate of 10 to 12 inches per year. The dense growth and beautiful foliage color of this plant makes it a great choice for specimen planting in the ground or in large containers and for use as a screening hedge. It is naturally dense but is also easily sheared to create a formal hedge or shaped as a topiary. It drops few leaves so is useful near patios, walkways and pools. While the arils of the fruit of most species of Podocarpus are edible, raw or cooked into jams or pies, other parts of the fruits are slightly toxic and should be eaten only in small amounts or avoided, especially when raw. In addition the stems, leaves, flowers, and pollen all contain this toxin and for this reason some sources list Podocarpus in general (and Podocarpus macrophyllus specifically) as being toxic to dogs. We have not found our dogs interested in eating this plant but list this here to caution others not to let their dogs eat it. This is a selected form of Podocarpus elongatus, a plant commonly called the Breede River Yellowwood that is restricted to the Breede River Valley in the winter-rainfall Western Cape, where it typically grows along rivers and on rocky outcrops within the fynbos vegetation type. It is also commonly called Cape Peninsula Stone Yew. It is distinguished from the other South African Yellowwoods we grow, Podocarpus henkelii and Podocarpus latifolius by its relatively elongated grey-blue leaves and bushy habit. The name for the genus is derived from Greek words 'podo' meaning "foot" or "footed" and 'karpos' which means "fruit" in reference to the fleshy stalk or receptacle that holds the seed. The specific epithet is in reference to the elongated leaves of this plant in comparison to the closely related Podocarpus latifolius, thought these leaves are notably shorter than Podocarpus henkelii, which was described later. This seedling selection of Podocarpus elongatus was introduced into the California nursery trade by Monrovia Nursery in 2004, who marketed it under their trademarked name. There has been no report of this plant coning, so it has not been determined if this dioecious conifer is a male or a female selection.
The information about Podocarpus elongatus 'Monmal' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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