Key to Tasmanian Dicots
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ATHEROSPERMATACEAE (=Monimiaceae in part)  3:594
   
Tasmania has one species of Atherospermataceae - Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum). It is native, and is one of the most common temperate rainforest tree species in Tasmania. It dominates temperate rainforest in parts of eastern Tasmania and is subdominant to Nothofagus cunninghamii in most of the remaining lowland rainforest and mixed forest, except on very nutrient poor sites.

It is a large tree, often with multiple trunks. The leaves are distinctively aromatic with a pleasant sassafras smell when crushed. The leaves are glossy green on the upper surface and paler, dull green on the underside. Leaves growing in the shade have several pointed teeth on each edge, but leaves in the sun are often toothless.

 
© 2010 University of Tasmania
Contact: Greg.Jordan@utas.edu.au