Antarctic Beech – Lophozonia moorei
Natural History
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Other Names: Other Names: Negrohead Beech, Mountain Beech, Nothofagus moorei.
Distinctive Characteristics: This gnarly, evergreen (or par - tially deciduous) tree is prone to continuous regeneration by vegetative growth, or self-coppicing, when major parts of the tree break off at their base. It is very common to have many trunks emerging out of the same crown like a fairy ring. The tree's genus is 200 million years old from the era when with the supercontinent of Gondwana—Antarctica, Australia and South America—were one land-mass (hence the name Antarctic Beech). Residing in a moist habitat, it is often covered in ferns, fungi, mosses, and epiphytes. It is the only host for the rare orchid Dendrobium falcrostrum. Distribution: Native to Australia, in limited patches, along the border of southeastern Queensland and northern tablelands of northeastern New South Wales, from the headwaters of the Manning River north to the McPherson Range. Elevation: 1,640–5,085 ft. (500–1,550 m). Ecosystem: High altitude, cool temperate rainforest. Maximum Age: Estimated at over 2,000 years. Maximum Height and Girth: 164 ft. (50 m) in height; 42 ft. (13 m) in circumference. Note: Since these beeches have the capacity to regenerate themselves, producing a fairy ring, this maximum circumference may indicate multiple trunks fused together. Traditional Uses: There were most likely traditional uses of this tree. Modern Uses: The hard, durable pink wood has high com - mercial value for making cabinets, pianos, and turnedwood objects. Threats and Conservation: This species is in danger due to habitat loss and climate change, although not officially listed as threatened. |
