|
Pherosphaera hookeriana (drooping pine), until
recently it was known as Microstrobos niphophilus.
An uncommon native shrub found in alpine and subalpine areas
of central and southern Tasmania. It is very fire sensitive
and only grows in fire-free areas, in alpine conifer heath
and montane rainforest. It is slow growing and may live for
many hundreds of years.
P. hookeriana is endemic to Tasmania and there is
only other species in this genus (a very rare species in
the Blue Mountains of New South Wales). The adult leaves
are scale like, overlapping like tiles and are spirally
arranged around the stem. These leafy stems are only about
1-1.5 mm across. Seedlings are very uncommon (this species
often resprouts from trunks buried in the peat), but have
narrow, spreading leaves a few mm long. The female cones
are small (~3-4mm across) and are dry when mature.
This species is often confused with the more widespread
species, Diselma archeri,
which lives in similar areas. Diselma archeri has
similar growth habit, but has opposite and decussate
leaves. It can also be confused with the rare alpine
specimens of Lagarostrobos
franklinii. This species has elongated female
cones, and has stomata on the outer surface of the leaves.
Small specimens of Athrotaxis
cupressoides could also possibly be confused,
but these have wider leafy stems (~ 2-3 mm wide).
|
Back
University of Tasmania
