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Description
Retrophyllum Rospigliosii, also known as the Rospigliosii Plum Yew or simply Plum Yew, is an evergreen tree in the family Podocarpaceae. It is native to the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, growing at elevations between 2500 and 3700 meters. The tree can grow up to 20 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 40 centimeters.
Taxonomic Information
Domain | Eukaryota |
Kingdom | Plantae |
Phylum | Pinophyta |
Class | Pinopsida |
Order | Pinales |
Family | Podocarpaceae |
Genus | Retrophyllum |
Appearance
The Retrophyllum Rospigliosii has a conical or pyramidal shape, with a straight trunk and a dense canopy. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and needle-like, measuring up to 3 centimeters long. The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are followed by red, fleshy fruit that is about 1 centimeter in diameter. The fruit is edible but not commonly consumed by humans.
Care Guide
The Retrophyllum Rospigliosii prefers well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun exposure. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from -7°C to 30°C, but it is not frost tolerant. Here are some care tips for this plant:
- Water: Water the plant regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in the winter months.
- Fertilization: Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
- Soil: Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
- Sunlight: Provide the plant with partial shade to full sun exposure.
- Hardiness Zones: The Retrophyllum Rospigliosii is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Retrophyllum Rospigliosii is generally pest and disease resistant. However, it can be susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. The plant is also susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet.
Habitat
The Retrophyllum Rospigliosii is native to the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, where it grows at elevations between 2500 and 3700 meters. It prefers well-drained soils and partial shade to full sun exposure.
Question and Answer
- What is the Retrophyllum Rospigliosii?
The Retrophyllum Rospigliosii, also known as the Rospigliosii Plum Yew or simply Plum Yew, is an evergreen tree in the family Podocarpaceae. - What is the size of the Retrophyllum Rospigliosii?
The tree can grow up to 20 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 40 centimeters. - What are the care tips for the Retrophyllum Rospigliosii?
The plant prefers well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun exposure. Water the plant regularly, fertilize it once a month during the growing season, and use a balanced fertilizer. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11. - What pests and diseases are the Retrophyllum Rospigliosii susceptible to?
The plant can be susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. It can also suffer from root rot if the soil is too wet.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to the Retrophyllum Rospigliosii:
- Retrophyllum comptonii
- Retrophyllum minus
- Retrophyllum vitiense
- Podocarpus
- Dacrydium
References
- Farjon, A. (2013). Retrophyllum rospigliosii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.
- Li, N., Yang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Du, D. (2017). Chemical constituents from leaves of Retrophyllum rospigliosii. Natural product research, 31(1), 69-72.
- Martin, C. V., & Bachelard, E. P. (2016). Podocarpus and Retrophyllum (Podocarpaceae) in New Caledonia: an annotated checklist. Australian Systematic Botany, 29(3), 197-216.