Athrotaxis laxifolia
Athrotaxis laxifolia | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Gymnospermae |
Division: | Pinophyta |
Class: | Pinopsida |
Order: | Cupressales
|
Family: | Cupressaceae |
Genus: | Athrotaxis |
Species: | A. laxifolia
|
Binomial name | |
Athrotaxis laxifolia |
Athrotaxis laxifolia is a species of tree belonging to the genus Athrotaxis endemic to Tasmania.
Description
Athrotaxis laxifolia is an
Habitat and distribution
Athrotaxis laxifolia is endemic to Tasmania, Australia, where it grows between 1,000–1,200 m altitude, in sub-alpine and alpine woodland.[3][1] One group of researchers have located nine different geographic locations for this species (5 hybrid populations and 4 single individuals).[4] The hybrid populations were found at Mount Reid, Tyndall Range, Crooked Lake, Brumbys Creek, and Tarn Shelf, while the individuals are located at Mount Kate, Pine Lake, Wylds Craig and Lake Dobson Road.[4]
Away from its native range, it is occasionally cultivated as an
Threats and conservation
Its status in the wild is little-known; it is the rarest of the three species of Athrotaxis. It is in many respects intermediate between Athrotaxis cupressoides and Athrotaxis selaginoides, and it is strongly suspected of being a natural hybrid between these two; however, genetic evidence for this is inconclusive.[3]
Later research has supported the theory of natural hybridization, as populations of A. laxifolia have been genetically studied and revealed to contain a range of genetic variance from pure A. cupressoides to pure A. selaginoides, and some genetically half-way between both.[4] Although listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the same research has suggested that this classification is unwarranted.[4] Even though A. laxifolia is rare in itself, given the multiple spontaneous hybridization events, it should be afforded the same status as its parent species (A. cuppresoides and A. selaginoides) which is Vulnerable.[4]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Athrotaxis laxifolia / Summit athrotaxis | Conifer Species". American Conifer Society. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ ISBN 1-84246-068-4
- ^ PMID 26872492.
- ISBN 0-00-212035-6
- ^ Tree Register of the British Isles