Podocarpus nivalis Hook.

Prostrate shrub with wide-spreading branches, or suberect up to 3 m. tall, with slender trunk. Lvs close set, spirally arranged, erect or sub-patent, rigid, coriac., margins thickened, linear-oblong, obtuse, ± apiculate, midvein prominent, 0·5-1·5 cm. × 2-4 mm. Male strobili axillary, 0·5-1·5 cm. long (on peduncle 3-5 mm. long) solitary or up to 4 per peduncle, apiculus obtuse. Female branchlet axillary, peduncle 3 mm. long, receptacle of two acute, red, swollen bracts. Seeds solitary ovoid, 3·5-5·5 mm. long, obtusely pointed, nutlike.

Upper forest margins, sub-alpine to alpine scrubland and tussock grassland, commonly creeping low over rocks but becoming more erect when competing with tall grasses or in scrub; at elevations from 800-2,500 metres.

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.