Some populations
of Dracophyllum are erect trees up to 4 m tall, with
leaves about 1-1.5 m long. These are restricted to rainforests in south-western
Tasmania, especially at high altitudes (e.g. Ironbounds, Mt Bobs,
Serpentine River, Mt Rugby). These populations are currently
considered to be members of D. milliganii but may be
described as a new species. Without flowers it can be confused with Richea
pandanifolia, with which it often grows. However, the Richea
has inflorescences between the leaves up the stem (not terminal),
and finely serrate (and cutting) leaf margins, whereas the Dracophyllum
has smooth leaf margins and showy, erect inflorescences.
|