Callitris oblonga subspecies oblonga
Other common names
Tasmanian Cypress Pine, Dwarf Cypress Pine, Native Cypress, River Pine, Pygmy Cypress Pine.
Origin of the species name
Callitris is from Latin calli meaning beautiful and tris or trix meaning three, referring to the arrangement of three whorled leaves on the stems and three large bracts in the fruit; oblonga is Latin meaning longer than wide and refers to the shape of the seed cones.
Family
Cupressaceae
Date planted
October 2010
Lifespan
Lifespan unknown
General description
This is a small evergreen tree with a short trunk and fissured flaky bark. The branches are extremely dense and erect, having angled, bluish-green 'foliage'. Egg-shaped male cones are tan coloured and attached to the tips of branchlets. Seed cones are grey, conical and tightly clustered around the branches. Height 6m Spread 3m.
Natural distribution and habitat
This subspecies is native to eastern Tasmania, Australia where it occurs mainly along streams on floodplains in Eucalyptus woodlands or shrub land. Two other subspecies occur in New South Wales, Australia.
Conservation status
This species is listed as vulnerable. Two fires in close succession will eliminate it if the period between burns is less than the time it takes to produce fertile seed. Land clearance, livestock damage and invasion of habitat by weeds such as gorse and willow are threats to this species. A recovery program is now underway.
Planting pattern
Planted in a square grid of various dimensions. In parts the grid changes to a diagonal pattern, and there are some open spaces.
Uses
Being a small tree its principal use has been for ornamental plantings.
Further reading
Farjon, A (2010) A Handbook of the World's Conifers. Brill.p>