Dacrydium novo-guineense, first described by Gibbs in 1917 is commonly known as kaowié, kowié in the Manikiong language and aru in the Kapauko language.
Description. Dacrydium novo-guineense is an evergreen coniferous tree in the Podocarpaceae family that grows 5 to 90 feet (1.5 - 29 m) tall, with up to a 20 inch (50 cm) diameter, with ascending branches and numerous branchlets producing a dense rounded crown. Juvenile leaves up to at least 0.4 inch (1 cm) long, lanceolate, acute, spreading but curved so that the apex normally turns slightly inward towards the shoot, often shorter at the base of the shoot and on main axes, strongly keeled on the back, giving way abruptly to short transitional scales on plants about 20 inches (half a meter) high, sometimes twisted to the side giving a spiral effect to the shoot. Transitional leaves, if present, up to 0.08 inch (2 mm) long and spreading slightly. Adult shoots are cord-like, 0.06 inch (1-2 mm) in diameter. Adult scale-leaves are strongly keeled on the back, acute, imbricate, 0.06 inch (0.8-1.7) mm long and 0.03 inch (0.4-1 mm) wide. Fertile structures occur on terminals, usually on short or very short lateral shoots. Pollen cones are one quarter inch (5-8 mm) long and 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) in diameter. Seed-bearing structure formed of elongated bracts, the longest towards the apex 0.12 inch (3 mm) long by 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) wide. Seed is 0.2 inch (5 mm) long and dark brown.
Distribution. This species to native to central and southeastern Celebes, Moluccas (Buru, Obi), and common throughout New Guinea.
Along mossy crests and in open areas from 2,200 to 10,000 feet (700 to 3000 m), but mostly between 5,000 and 7,000 feet (1,500 and 2,200 m). Rising above the mid mountain canopy or a common small tree at higher elevations rising above ferns and other scrub often after fire, sometimes dominant. On different soil types: clay, stony sand, quartzite, even peat"
