Prince Albert Yew (Saxegothaea conspicua)

Saxegothaea conspicua, known as the Prince Albert Yew is an evergreen conifer in the podocarp family Podocarpaceae, native to southern South America. It grows in Chile and Argentina from 35°S to 46°S latitude. In its northernmost natural distribution it grows between 800 and 1000 metres above sea level and at its southernmost range it lives at sea level.

It is a slow-growing, long-lived evergreen tree growing to 15 to 25 metres tall, with a spread of up to 8 metres. The bark is thin and flaky to scaly, dark purple-brown. Saxegothaea is endemic to the Valdivian temperate rain forests of southern Chile and adjacent parts of Argentina, where it is generally found in association with Pilgerodendron uviferum and Fitzroya cupressoides.

It responds well to trimming and can be trained into a hedge, bonsai, shrub or trained as an attractive ornamental tree. Saxegothaea prefers well-draining, lightly acidic soil that is kept moist. It can also tolerate deep shade and prefers a sheltered position in Australian settings.