Diselma

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Diselma (family Cupressaceae) A monotypic genus comprising D. archeri, a gymnospermic (gymnosperm) shrub which is usually about 2 m in height but can be up to 6 m. The leaves are small, thick, blunt, and keeled. They are held closely to the stem and incurved against it, the stem appearing to be 4-angled because of the positioning of the leaves. The male cones are solitary, terminal, and barely distinguishable from the vegetative branch tips. The female cones are solitary and terminal, with 2 pairs of scales and a central columella. The inner pair of scales has the ovules. The seeds have hardened and expanded wings. The genus is endemic to Tasmania, where it forms small stands in sub-alpine and wet conditions in the mountainous regions.