Botanical Description
Igem-dagat (Podocarpus costalis) also known as Arius is a medium size tree that can reach up to 8 meters in height with a smooth flaky greenish bark. The leaves are linear but can also be spatulate with varying sizes, the leaves in saplings are larger, with an acute or rounded apex and a distinct rib at the midvein. Its leaf buds have long triangular scales throughout its apex. It has robust, sessile, and solitary male cones with small membranous scales at the base. Female cones pedunculate with a fertile bract associated with several shorter sterile bracts. The seeds produced are globose with a small crest.
Uses:
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The cones are reportedly edible with a supposed sticky sweet taste to them.
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The species is threatened with extinction and is currently listed as endangered due to excessive extraction from the wild for use in landscaping.
