Athrotaxis

views updated

Athrotaxis (family Taxodiaceae) A genus of conifers that have small, often scale-like, adpressed or spreading, spirally arranged leaves, and small (to 3 cm long) globose cones. Each scale has a curved-out spine at its tip, and ripens orange in autumn. They are tall trees, cultivated in some temperate arboreta. There are 2 species, confined to Tasmania.