Phyllocladus toatoa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phyllocladus toatoa |
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Phyllocladus
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toatoa
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The Phyllocladus toatoa, also known as toatoa (a Māori name) or blue celery pine, is a special type of conifer tree. It belongs to the Podocarpaceae family. This tree is found only in New Zealand, meaning it is endemic there. It used to be called P. glaucus.
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What is the Toatoa Tree Like?
The toatoa tree is usually small, growing up to 15 m (49 ft) tall. Its trunk can be about 60 cm (24 in) wide. It can be shaped like a cone or be quite bushy. The outer bark of the tree can be dark brown or a shiny silver-brown color.
Toatoa trees are unique because of their special "leaves." These aren't true leaves, but flattened stems called phylloclades that look like diamond-shaped leaves. They grow in groups along the branches. Some toatoa trees have separate male and female plants, while others have both male and female parts on the same tree.
Toatoa's Life Cycle and Reproduction
Toatoa trees flower between October and December. After flowering, they produce fruit from January to March. The fruit is a small nut, sitting in a cup-shaped case. Each fruit holds 3 to 4 black, square-shaped seeds, about 3 mm big.
Mature toatoa trees produce flowers and seeds every year. The male cones release a lot of pollen, which is carried by the wind to pollinate the female cones. When the seeds are ready, the cone parts swell up and push the seeds out. Most seeds fall close to the parent tree. However, toatoa trees can spread over larger areas because their seeds are also carried by wind and birds.
Growing new toatoa trees from seeds can be tricky, and they grow quite slowly.
Where Does the Toatoa Tree Live?
The toatoa tree is found only in New Zealand. You can see it growing in the North Island.
Toatoa's Habitat and Protection Status
You can find Phyllocladus toatoa in lowland and mountain forests, especially in the central and northern parts of the North Island. This tree is considered well-protected and is not currently seen as an endangered species.
Toatoa trees are tough! They can grow in poor soils, like on windy ridges, around the edges of swampy areas, or in other places where the ground doesn't drain well. They prefer a mild climate with moist, well-drained soil. They like their roots to be partly shaded, but their upper branches and "leaves" need sunlight.
