Mountain Plum-pine
Podocarpus lawrencei
Family Podocarpaceae
Ancient alpine conifer, individuals can live 600 years
About
A low, wind-sculpted alpine conifer named among the characteristic plants of the Snowy Mountains, where Kosciuszko National Park protects virtually all of the range's true alpine habitat. Growth rings can persist for up to 600 years, making it valuable for alpine climate research.
How to spot it
A low, spreading conifer rarely exceeding 1m in the Australian Alps, with small leaves 1cm long that often flush reddish in cold weather. Bears small, bright red, berry-like cones with a 5-10mm aril.
Found in
- Kosciuszko National Park