Athrotaxis laxifolia
Common name: 
Tasmanian Pencil Pine
Summit Cedar
Pronunciation: 
ath-roh-TAKS-iss laks-i-FO-lee-ah
Family: 
Taxodiaceae
Genus: 
Athrotaxis
Type: 
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Evergreen conifer, small to medium sized tree, to 30-65 ft (9-20 m) tall, conical shape, sparsely branched, with whipcord-like branches.  Leaves 4-6 mm long, awl-shaped to lanceolate, thick, slightly diverging from the branch, apex curved inward, margin not toothed,   Pollen cones have 2 pollen sacs, 3-5 mm long.  Female (seed) cones in pairs, densely clustered on ends of short shoots, ovoid, bright yellow or pale, 1.5-3 cm. wide.
  • A. laxifolia often appears intermediate between the two other species, A. cupressoides and A. selaginoides, and there is some suspicion that it is a a natural hybrid between the two.
  • Best in full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Hardy to USDA 7     Native to the mountainous region of western Tasmania, Australia.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: Dorm Quad court yard, north side
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • branchlets

    branchlets

  • leaves

    leaves