Podocarpus globulus

de Laub. (1985)

Common names

Sapiro [Lawas and Murut] (de Laubenfels 1988).

Taxonomic notes

De Laubenfels (1988) made this the type species of his Podocarpus subsection globulus; under current classification, this species likely belongs to the Malesian clade of Podocarpus, but does not appear to have been subjected to molecular phylogenetic analysis.

Description

Trees to 27 m tall and 45 cm dbh, with a erect round trunk and branches spreading to form a rounded crown. Bark first smooth, brown, later developing small, flaky scales. Twigs round, slightly grooved, bearing compact round buds 2-3 mm diameter composed of imbricate scales with entire margins. Leaves on juvenile/understory plants broad-lanceolate 7.5-16 × 1.5-2.5 cm, straight, coriaceous, abruptly acuminate. Leaves on mature/canopy plants lanceolate, 3.5-8 × 0.9-1.5 cm, straight, coriaceous, tapering to a petiolate base and a variable (acuminate to obtuse) tip, with a narrow raised midrib on upper side, nearly flat on the lower. Pollen cones axillary, in small clusters of 1-3, subsessile, cylindrical, 25-45 × 3-4 mm, microsporophylls 1 mm long with a triangular apex. Seed cones axillary, solitary on a stiff 3-5 mm peduncle; receptacles slender, ca. 10 mm long, of two lobes of which one is fertile, swelling and ripening red. Seeds with epimatium 7-9 × 5-6 mm with a small crest, green turning dark brown (de Laubenfels 1988, Farjon 2010).

Distribution and Ecology

Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah); perhaps Indonesia (Kalimantan). Found in primary rainforest or moss forest on ridges and peak at 300-1500 m elevation in areas where the forest is not dominated by dipterocarps. Evidently adapted to ultramafic soils (de Laubenfels 1988).

The IUCN reports that this species is in decline. It is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild due to severe fragmentation of its existing range (fewer than five known locations), coupled with past and ongoing loss of habitat.

Remarkable Specimens

No data as of 2026-01-23.

Ethnobotany

No data as of 2026-01-23.

Observations

No data as of 2026-01-23.

Remarks

The epithet globulus reflects the fact that the primary foliage bud scales are imbricate, forming a globular ball (de Laubenfels 1988).

Citations

de Laubenfels, David J. 1985. A taxonomic revision of the genus Podocarpus. Blumea 30:51-278.

See also

The species account at Threatened Conifers of the World.