Plant

African Fern Pine

Afrocarpus falcatus

Also known as Outeniqua Yellowwood, Common Yellowwood, Weeping Yew, Bastard Yellowwood

Outeniqua yellowwoods count among the grandest canopy trees of Southern Africa's evergreen montane forests, occasionally reaching heights over 40 meters. Their narrow, lance-shaped leaves form a soft, billowy crown that casts deep shade across the forest floor. Female trees produce fleshy, yellow-green seed cones that mature over a year, feeding fruit bats and native parrots that disperse the seeds.

TreeEvergreenForest Canopy

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Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)

ThreatsHistorical over-logging, habitat loss

HabitatsMontane forests, coastal forests, ravines

Life spanUp to 1,000+ years

Classification

FamilyPodocarpaceae
SpeciesAfrocarpus falcatus

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Wild seed cones have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild plant parts based on app identification alone.
What to notice: Recognize by immense height, smooth flaking bark flakes, and dense narrow leaves in old-growth forests.
Support conservation: Observe from marked trails in nature reserves and never harvest wild wood, foliage, or seeds.

Responsible observation

Identification: Look for the distinctive flaking gray bark and long, narrow dark green leaves in moist forest ravines.
Cultivation: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade as an ornamental shade tree or windbreak.
Conservation: Respect protected tree regulations in South Africa by avoiding harm to wild specimens.

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