Scientific Name: Pherosphaera hookeriana Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: mount mawson pine

Family Classification (Clade): Gymnosperms

Family: Podocarpaceae

Threatened Species Status: Vulnerable

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Dark green, dense, much-branched shrub, branchlets often short and stiff.

Height (m): 0.5 – 2.5

Flowers: Separate male and female plants. Female cones 2-4mm long on short, usually pendulous branches (hence the common name of ‘drooping pine’) become fleshy and red when mature.

Fruit: Cone – Male cones – solitary, terminal with scales purplish-brown. Female cones – woody, solitary, terminal, pendulous with 2-5 fertile scales. Seed ripens with a hard brown covering.

Municipality
No data available for this species
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Abundant as dominant or co-dominant in areas of coniferous heath at Mt. Field; rarely encountered elsewhere.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Storage Life

Short

Seed Treatment Notes

May be grown from seed, however seed is often non-viable or viability may vary from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended.

Germination Time

1-2 months

Cutting & Division Information

Grown from cuttings but not as easy as the other “pines”. Use tip cuttings with or without “heels” and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect cuttings. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4°C for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture.