| Phyllocladus
aspleniifolius (celerytop pine) is a medium sized
native tree (rarely more than 30cm in diameter) found in
rainforest or wet forest and scrub. It is endemic to
Tasmania and is found in most high rainfall areas of the
island, extending from sea level to tree line. It is
the only Australian species of this genus, but other species
occur in New Zealand, New Guinea and South-east Asia.
The genus is unique among conifers in having the
branchlets (complete with leaves) flattened into
photosynthetic phylloclades. These can be divided or lobed
to varying degrees (see the photos). The seedlings have
needle leaves. The branches spread widely and tend to
curve upwards towards the ends.
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University of Tasmania
