| Athrotaxis
x laxifolia is a name given to the hybrids between
Athrotaxis cupressoides
(Pencil Pine) and A.
selaginoides (King Billy Pine). These hybrids occur as
uncommon plants in many places with A. cupressoides
(Pencil Pine) and A.
selaginoides growing nearby. These hybrids are mostly somewhat
malformed shrubs or small trees in subalpine areas, although in one
high rainfall area of western Tasmania they form an extensive stand
of large trees. They is fire sensitive. The genus
Athrotaxis has spirally arranged, single-veined leaves, and
woody cones. The leaves of A. x laxifolia are
scale-like and somewhat spreading (typically larger and more
spreading than those of A. cupressoides but smaller and less
spreading than those of A.
selaginoides. The female cones are also intermediate in form
between the true species. |
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