| Athrotaxis
x laxifolia (hybrid pencil pine) is a name given to
the hybrids between Athrotaxis
cupressoides (pencil pine) and A.
selaginoides (king billy pine). These hybrids
occur as uncommon plants in many places with A.
cupressoides (pencil pine) and A. selaginoides (king
billy pine) growing nearby. These hybrids are mostly
somewhat malformed shrubs or small trees in subalpine areas,
although in one high rainfall area of western Tasmania they
form an extensive stand of large trees. They are fire
sensitive.
The genus Athrotaxis has spirally arranged,
single-veined leaves, and woody cones. The leaves of A.
x laxifolia are scale-like and somewhat spreading
(typically larger and more spreading than those of A.
cupressoides but smaller and less spreading than
those of A. selaginoides. The female cones are
also intermediate in form between the true species.
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University of Tasmania
