The podocarp Afrocarpus falcatus (Podocarpaceae) newly recorded as a casual alien in New Zealand: Tuhinga 22

Tuhinga 22: 157-160

ABSTRACT: The African podocarp Afrocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) C.N.Page is newly recorded as reproducing within New Zealand. Numerous seedlings were found directly beneath a mature female tree in Palmerston North. Within New Zealand, A. falcatus clearly fits the ‘Cultivation Escape’ subcategory of the Casual Record list, and it is easily distinguished from other podocarps by the yellow-orange colour and large size of its mature seed cones, its relatively thin, flaky bark, and details of the leaves.

KEYWORDS: Afrocarpus falcatus, Podocarpaceae, new record, casual, naturalised, exotic.