Athrotaxis cupressoides

Athrotaxis cupressoides, is also known as pencil pine, despite being a species of the family Cupressaceae, and not a member of the pine family. Found either as an erect shrub or as a tree, this species is endemic to Tasmania, Australia. Trees can live for upwards of 1000 years, sustaining a very slow growth rate of approximately 12 mm in diameter per year. The name Athrotaxis is derived from the Greek words athros meaning crowded and taxis meaning arrangement. The species name cupressoides in Greek means ‘resembling cypress’.

Athrotaxis cupressoides

Athrotaxis cupressoides, is also known as pencil pine, despite being a species of the family Cupressaceae, and not a member of the pine family. Found either as an erect shrub or as a tree, this species is endemic to Tasmania, Australia. Trees can live for upwards of 1000 years, sustaining a very slow growth rate of approximately 12 mm in diameter per year. The name Athrotaxis is derived from the Greek words athros meaning crowded and taxis meaning arrangement. The species name cupressoides in Greek means ‘resembling cypress’.