North America Non-native Plant

Dacrycarpus

Botanical name: Dacrycarpus de

USDA symbol: DACRY2

Native status: Not native but doesn't reproduce and persist in the wild

Understanding Dacrycarpus: When Plant Names Leave Us Hanging If you’ve stumbled upon the name Dacrycarpus de in your plant research, you might be scratching your head – and for good reason! This appears to be an incomplete botanical name that’s missing some crucial information. What We Know (And Don’t Know) ...

Understanding Dacrycarpus: When Plant Names Leave Us Hanging

If you’ve stumbled upon the name Dacrycarpus de in your plant research, you might be scratching your head – and for good reason! This appears to be an incomplete botanical name that’s missing some crucial information.

What We Know (And Don’t Know)

The genus Dacrycarpus belongs to the conifer family and includes several fascinating evergreen trees. However, Dacrycarpus de isn’t a complete species name in botanical terms. Think of it like having someone introduce themselves as John D. – you know the first part, but you’re missing the full picture!

Complete species names in the Dacrycarpus genus typically look like:

  • Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (New Zealand White Pine)
  • Dacrycarpus imbricatus (Java Podocarp)
  • Dacrycarpus cinctus (Philippine Podocarp)

Why Complete Names Matter

In the gardening world, having the complete botanical name is like having a plant’s full address. Without it, we can’t provide you with reliable information about:

  • Where the plant naturally grows
  • What growing conditions it prefers
  • How big it gets
  • Whether it’s suitable for your climate
  • Its wildlife benefits

Next Steps for Plant Detectives

If you’re trying to identify or learn about a specific Dacrycarpus species, here’s what you can do:

  • Check your original source for the complete botanical name
  • Look for additional identifying information like origin location or common names
  • Consult with local native plant societies or extension services
  • Consider whether you might be looking for a related species with a similar name

The Bottom Line

While we can’t give you specific growing advice for Dacrycarpus de without more information, the Dacrycarpus genus does include some interesting conifers that might be worth exploring further. If you can track down the complete name, you’ll be well on your way to learning whether one of these evergreen beauties might be right for your garden!

Remember: in the plant world, details matter, and complete botanical names are your best friend for successful gardening adventures.

Dacrycarpus

Classification

Group

Gymnosperm

Kingdom

Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision

Spermatophyta - Seed plants

Division

Coniferophyta - Conifers

Subdivision
Class

Pinopsida

Subclass
Order

Pinales

Family

Podocarpaceae Endl. - Podocarpus family

Genus

Dacrycarpus (Endl.) de Laub. - dacrycarpus

Species

Plant data source: USDA, NRCS 2025. The PLANTS Database. https://plants.usda.gov,. 2/25/2025. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA