Podocarpus totara

For other plant species also known as tōtara, see List of plants known as tōtara.

Tōtara
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Araucariales
Family: Podocarpaceae
Genus: Podocarpus
Species:
P. totara
Binomial name
Podocarpus totara

Podocarpus totara (/ˈtoʊtərə/),[2] also known as the tōtara, is a species of podocarp tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows throughout the North Island, South Island and rarely on Stewart Island / Rakiura in lowland, montane and lower subalpine forest at elevations of up to 600 m.[3]

Tōtara is commonly found in lowland areas where the soil is fertile and well drained.[4] Its Māori name comes from the Proto-Polynesian word *tootara (related to the word tara lit. 'thorn') which when passed down to descendant languages refer to spiny creatures, especially the porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix) due to its spiky leaves.[5] The spelling "totara" without the tohutō is also common in English.

  1. ^ Farjon, A. (2013). "Podocarpus totara". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T42537A2985842. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42537A2985842.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "totara". The Chambers Dictionary (9th ed.). Chambers. 2003. ISBN 0-550-10105-5.
  3. ^ "Podocarpus totara var. totara". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  4. ^ "Story: Conifers – Tōtara group". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  5. ^ Benton, R. A. (2010). "Tōtara". Te Māra Reo. Benton Family Trust. Retrieved 2024-02-11.