Fauna
Plant

Kusamaki

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Also known as Yew Plum Pine, Buddhist Pine, Fern Pine

Kusamaki is a classic evergreen conifer prized across East Asia for its dense, deep-green foliage and elegant growth habit. Female trees produce distinctive autumn seed cones featuring a hard green seed resting atop a fleshy, swollen red-to-purple base. Widely cultivated around temples, traditional Japanese gardens, and urban spaces, it serves as a favored subject for cloud pruning and bonsai art.

EvergreenConiferOrnamental
Kusamaki reference1 / 7
(c) Jenny Saito, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Scale Insects
  • Spider Mites
  • Birds
ThreatsHabitat clearance in native areas, local wild collection for horticulture
HabitatsSubtropical forests, coastal thickets, urban gardens, temple grounds
Life span100–500+ years
Classification
  1. OrderPinales
  2. FamilyPodocarpaceae
  3. GenusPodocarpus
  4. SpeciesPodocarpus macrophyllus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Seeds and leaves contain toxic compounds; wild fruits have toxic look-alikes, so never eat based on app identification alone.
Why it is dangerous
Seeds and foliage contain podocarpic acid, which causes digestive upset, nausea, and severe discomfort if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by long strap-like evergreen leaves and fleshy autumn seed cones with a green seed perched on a purple-red receptacle.
What to do
Observe foliage and seed structures without chewing or ingesting any plant parts, and keep fallen seeds away from pets.
Responsible observation
  • Foliage check: Look for spirally arranged, ribbon-like needles that feel thick and leathery to the touch.
  • Fruit observation: Inspect female branches in late autumn for the two-toned seed cones elevated on fleshy red stalks.
Related species
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