About
Podocarpus capuronii is a rare conifer endemic to the highlands of Madagascar. This tree inhabits montane forests and subalpine shrublands, thriving in nutrient-poor, sandy soil along streams, in ravines and on rocky slopes and ridges. Adapted to the island’s high-elevation ecosystems, it typically grows as a slow-growing shrub or stunted tree, though in forested areas, it can attain heights of up to 20 meters.
Despite its resilience to harsh environmental conditions, P. capuronii is highly vulnerable due to its extremely restricted range and ongoing habitat degradation. Forest clearance for agriculture, logging, and firewood collection threatens the already fragmented populations. As a slow-growing species, its recovery from disturbance is particularly challenging.
This species is part of the ancient Podocarpaceae family, one of the most diverse and widespread conifer groups in the Southern Hemisphere. However, P. capuronii is among its most threatened members, with conservation urgency driven by its evolutionary distinctiveness and ecological importance.
- Order: Pinales
- Family: Podocarpaceae
- Trend: decreasing
- Size: up to 20m
EDGE Score
Distribution
P. capuronii is endemic to the highlands of Madagascar, with a fragmented distribution primarily within the Itremo Massif Protected Area. It is found at elevations ranging from 1,320 to 2,800 meters above sea level. The species occupies a limited range, and its populations are scattered due to habitat degradation and other anthropogenic pressures.
Habitat and Ecology
This conifer thrives on skeletal sandy soils over quartzite or gneiss, typically along streams in ravines and on rocky slopes and ridges. In these nutrient-poor sites, P. capuronii often grows as a slow-growing shrub or stunted tree. However, in forested areas with more favorable conditions, it can attain heights of up to 20 meters.
