1. (noun) tōtara, Podocarpus totara, Podocarpus cunninghamii - large forest trees with prickly, olive-green leaves not in two rows. Found throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand. Trees are either male or female with the female producing bright red fruit. Popular timber for carving. The reddish-brown bark peels in long strips and is used for the outside covering of pōhā. A South Island name.