Prumnopitys taxifolia

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as mataī and black pine, is a species of tree in the family Podocarpaceae. It is a dioecious evergreen conifer reaching 30 metres (100 feet) in height, with a stout trunk up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter, typically inhabiting lowland to montane forests. It is endemic to New Zealand; its range mainly covers the North and South Islands, it is also found on Stewart Island, but is uncommon there. P. taxifolia is a slow-growing tree and is highly shade-tolerant. P. taxifolia is profoundly heteroblastic; its young form is distinct and resembles a divaricating-wiry shrub, which may last for up to 60 years. It is unknown why P. taxifolia developed this characteristic. P. taxifolia has an average lifespan of 600 years, although it sometimes may live longer than 1000 years.

Prumnopitys taxifolia was first described by the British botanist Aylmer Bourke Lambert in 1832. The fruits of P. taxifolia are dispersed by fruit-eating animals (frugivores), and the tree is pollinated by the wind. It is common on fertile and well-drained soils, although it can still grow well in drier climates. P. taxifolia's timber is noted for its strength and durability, and was historically used for building bridges and houses, railway sleepers, and furniture-making. The conservation status of P. taxifolia was assessed by the IUCN Red List in 2013 as "Least Concern".