Swamp Cypress

About

A southwest WA-endemic conifer and the only gymnosperm species recorded among Nambung National Park's more than 170 flowering plant species. Its sealed cones stay closed on the living tree for years, opening only when the wood dries or the branch dies — often after fire.

How to spot it

A shrub or small tree to about 8m with evergreen, scale-like leaves in alternating whorls of three along the twigs (young seedlings instead bear needle-like leaves). Small rounded cones (1-2cm) form at branch tips and take 18-20 months to mature.

Found in

• Nambung National Park