Atherosperma moschatum subsp. integrifolium
Encyclopedia
Atherosperma moschatum subsp. integrifolium is a small evergreen
tree native to the temperate rainforests of central and northern New South Wales
, Australia
. In 2006 it was recognised as a separate sub-species by Richard Schodde
. Common names include the Southern Sassafras - narrow leaf form or Blackheart Sassafras.
, Blue Mountains, Barrington Tops and at Mount Grundy west of Port Macquarie, by streams such as the Tia River
. It may also be undiscovered in the Illawarra
to the south, and New England National Park
to the north. The original specimen was collected in the Blue Mountains.
, have shown that populations of the sub species integrifolium are the most strongly diverged
of all populations within the range of the species at both isozymes
and chloroplast DNA
. These results are consistent with long term isolation of these populations through at least the Last glacial period.
slot canyons where it may be in a dwarf form
. An uncommon or rare plant, it may be seen at the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden
west of Sydney
. Or on the Neates Glen walk at Blackheath
.
s, often also marked with moss
and lichen
. Young shoots and new growth is noticeably hairy. A scented and beautiful tree, especially when in flower.
Leaves are narrower than the more southern form of Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatum
, and many of the leaves are entire, though some small prickles grow on a minority of leaves. Leaves opposite on the stem; 8 cm long, 1 cm wide, white underneath. Glossy above and veiny. Pleasantly scented when crushed.
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
tree native to the temperate rainforests of central and northern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 2006 it was recognised as a separate sub-species by Richard Schodde
Richard Schodde
Richard Schodde, OAM is an Australian botanist and ornithologist.Schodde studied at the University of Adelaide where he received a BSc in 1960 and a PhD in 1970. During the 1960s he was a botanist with the CSIRO Division of Land Research and Regional Survey in Papua New Guinea...
. Common names include the Southern Sassafras - narrow leaf form or Blackheart Sassafras.
Distribution
Found in four areas; Monga National ParkMonga National Park
Monga National Park is located 230 km south west of Sydney, Australia. The closest town nearby is Braidwood.Monga features outstanding high altitude eucalyptus forest and cool temperate rainforest....
, Blue Mountains, Barrington Tops and at Mount Grundy west of Port Macquarie, by streams such as the Tia River
Tia River
The Tia River is a river on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The headwaters of the river rise in high country on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range about south west of Tia. It flows generally north east crossing the Oxley Highway before spilling over the Tia Falls...
. It may also be undiscovered in the Illawarra
Illawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
to the south, and New England National Park
New England National Park
New England National Park is situated on the Northern Tablelands in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia, 560 km north of Sydney. It is about 10 km south of Waterfall Way, just 85 km east of Armidale and 65 km west of Coffs Harbour...
to the north. The original specimen was collected in the Blue Mountains.
Genetic Study
Genetic studies of the subspecies, along with the more widespread southerly distributed subspecies, Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatumAtherosperma
Atherosperma moschatum, the Southern Sassafras or Blackheart Sassafras is an evergreen tree native to the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. It is common in the rainforests of Tasmania and Victoria, but more scattered and rare in the higher altitudes...
, have shown that populations of the sub species integrifolium are the most strongly diverged
Genetic divergence
Genetic divergence is the process in which two or more populations of an ancestral species accumulate independent genetic changes through time, often after the populations have become reproductively isolated for some period of time...
of all populations within the range of the species at both isozymes
Isozyme
Isozymes are enzymes that differ in amino acid sequence but catalyze the same chemical reaction. These enzymes usually display different kinetic parameters Isozymes (also known as isoenzymes) are enzymes that differ in amino acid sequence but catalyze the same chemical reaction. These enzymes...
and chloroplast DNA
Chloroplast
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and other eukaryotic organisms that conduct photosynthesis. Chloroplasts capture light energy to conserve free energy in the form of ATP and reduce NADP to NADPH through a complex set of processes called photosynthesis.Chloroplasts are green...
. These results are consistent with long term isolation of these populations through at least the Last glacial period.
Habitat
The habitat is cool, moist protected areas; ranging from 650 to 1540 metres above sea level, near streams. Almost always seen growing with the Black Olive Berry. Often found on the richer volcanic soils, but it also grows in sandstoneNarrabeen group
The Narrabeen group of sedimentary rocks occurs in the Sydney Basin in eastern Australia. This series of rocks was formed in the triassic period....
slot canyons where it may be in a dwarf form
Dwarfing
Dwarfing is a characteristic in plants and animals whereby one or more members of a breed or cultivar are significantly smaller than standard members of their species...
. An uncommon or rare plant, it may be seen at the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden
Mount Tomah Botanic Garden is a 28 hectare public garden approximately 100 km west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains, established in 1972. There is an additional 128 hectares of land dedicated to conservation. The garden is 1000 m above sea level, and it specializes in cool-climate plants that would...
west of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. Or on the Neates Glen walk at Blackheath
Blackheath, New South Wales
Blackheath is a small town located near the top of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, 120 kilometres west north west of Sydney and 11 kilometres northwest of Katoomba. In 2006, Blackheath had a population of 4,177 people...
.
Description
The Southern Sassafras is a shrub or a small tree, growing from 1 to 30 metres tall. The trunk is not buttressed, somewhat cylindrical. The bark is fairly smooth with bumps and lenticelLenticel
A lenticel is an airy aggregation of cells within the structural surfaces of the stems, roots, and other parts of vascular plants. It functions as a pore, providing a medium for the direct exchange of gasses between the internal tissues and atmosphere, thereby bypassing the periderm, which would...
s, often also marked with moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
and lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
. Young shoots and new growth is noticeably hairy. A scented and beautiful tree, especially when in flower.
Leaves are narrower than the more southern form of Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatum
Atherosperma
Atherosperma moschatum, the Southern Sassafras or Blackheart Sassafras is an evergreen tree native to the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. It is common in the rainforests of Tasmania and Victoria, but more scattered and rare in the higher altitudes...
, and many of the leaves are entire, though some small prickles grow on a minority of leaves. Leaves opposite on the stem; 8 cm long, 1 cm wide, white underneath. Glossy above and veiny. Pleasantly scented when crushed.