Dacrydium cupressinum

Common card · No. 459568

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as rimu, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae, native to New Zealand. The tree usually reaches 35 metres (100 feet) in height, but may reach up to 60 metres (200 feet) and can have a stout trunk up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter. It is dioecious, meaning individual trees are either male or female. Rimu is the country's most common native conifer, its range covers the North, South, and Stewart Islands. Rimu has an estimated lifespan of 600–800 years, although it may live as long as 1,200 years. The name D. cupressinum was first published invalidly in 1786 by Daniel Solander and Georg Forster. However the species was first given a valid description in 1806 by Aylmer Lambert. The second part of the scientific name, cupressinum, was given because of the tree's similarity with cypress species. Rimu's fruits are consumed by various birds such as bellbirds, kererū, and the tūī. Rimu's fruits also provide an important source of food and vitamins...

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