Lagarostrobos franklinii (Huon Pine) is a rainforest tree that
grows in western and southern Tasmania. It is very fire sensitive
and only grows in fire-free areas. It is slow growing and may live
for over 2000 years. It mostly grows at low-moderate altitudes, but
occasionally extends into the alpine zone. It is most commonly seen
along rivers. Its wood is good for furniture and boat building
distribution has decreased due to logging. Lagarostrobos
franklinii is endemic to Tasmania and is the only species in this genus. 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 but have needle-like, spreading leaves several mm long. The
female cones are small and elongated (up to 10mm long) with a series
of seeds. The branches droop noticeably
This species can only be confused with
Phaerosphaera hookeriana. The
latter species is alpine-subalpine and does not extend down into the
main habitat of Lagarostrobos, has short female cones and no
stomata on the outer surface of the leaves. |