Anopterus glandulosus

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information

ikipedia links:        Angiosperms > Eudicots > Asterids >  Escallonniales > Escallonaceae > Anopterus  glandulosus

Other links:     

Plant  information

Common name:                Tasmanian Laurel  

Conservation status:  Least concern

• The species was listed as not threatened and present in state reserves by the National Parks and Wildlife service Tasmania in 1997 and remains widespread and non-threatened today

Etymology:   

• Anopterus comes from the Ancient Greek words ano (upwards) and pteron (wing), referring to its characteristic winged seeds

• Glandulosus refers to the glandular tips present at the end of each leaf serration

Flowers:                  

• Flowering occurs in late spring and often again in autumn

• The flower heads, known as inflorescences, are borne in terminal racemes which are about the same length as the leaves

• Flowers are bell shaped and approximately 2 cm in diameter, occurring on slender pedicels which are often recurved

• They are composed of six ovate petals, 10 to 12 mm (0.39 to 0.47 in) in length which overlap and are coloured white or pink flushed

• Flowers usually have six sepals, which are joined at the base with spreading lobes, and six stamens opposite the sepals, which are filamentous and shorter than petals

• Each flower has two large joined carpels which are bright green in colour

• The ovary is superior and conical, tapering to a short style and bifid stigma

• The attractive and strongly scented flowers produce large amounts of nectar, attracting insects, and birds that feed on both nectar and insects such as honeyeater

Fruit:                         

Leaves:         

• Leaves are large, 7 to 17 cm in length and 2 to 4 cm in width

• Leaves are thick, dark green with a glabrous surface and glossy appearance

• Leaf margins are serrated with blunt tips and a black gland at the apex of each serration

• Leaf shape ranges from lanceolate elliptical to oblanceolate with an acute apex and leaf base which narrows into a short petiole

Stem & branches: 

Roots:         

• x 

Habit:        

• A shrub or small tree 

• It usually grows as small understorey shrub ranging from 2 to 4 m in height and 2 to 3 m in width

• It can be grown as a small canopy tree up to 10 m 

• In shaded understorey conditions its growth habit is often straggly with branches forming layers resulting in coppiced growth

Habitat:   

• Widespread in the moist under-storeys of  temperate rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests from sea level to mountainous regions below 1,200 m above sea level

Distribution:                  

•  Endemic to south and southwestern Tasmania  

Additional notes:    

• Taxonomy

  • The signature 'Labill' often appears after the Latin name of this species as it was first described by Jacques Labillardière in 1805

  • It is one of two Tasmanian plants in the ancient Gondwanan family Escalloniaceae, the other plant being Tetracarpaea tasmanica.

  • Anopterus is an endemic Australian genus and Anopterus glandulosus is one of two species in the genus

  • The other species, Anopterus macleayanus (Queensland laurel or Macleay laurel) is found in subtropical, warm and cool temperate forests near the coast in NSW and Queensland

• Similar species

  • The foliage arrangement and habit of Anopterus glandulosus are similar to Cenarrhenes nitida (Port Arthur/ native plum) with opposite leaves arranged in apparent spreading whorls

  • A. glandulosus can be distinguished from Cenarrhenes nitida by a tendency for leaves to occur in clusters at the ends of branches

  • Cenarrhenes nitida can also be distinguished by the absence of glands at leaf tips and an unpleasant foetid odour when leaves are crushed

• Ecology and distribution

  • Anopterus glandulosus is a slow-growing shrub to small tree which occurs in wet sclerophyll forest and rainforests, in the south and west of Tasmania at elevations below 1200 m

  • A. glandulosus prefers cool, moist conditions in partly shaded conditions with well-drained soils, from loamy to sandy and highly organic soils

  • More seedlings of this species germinate and grow on rotting fallen logs than soil

  • It most commonly occurs as an understorey shrub often under a canopy of Nothofagus cunninghamii (myrtle beech)

  • It is susceptible to the plant disease Phytophthora cinnamomi, which causes ‘root rot’ or ’dieback’, and does not tolerate excess phosphorus

  • However, this species is highly adaptable and tolerates harsh conditions including to frost and snow

  • Due to its rainforest habitat it is also adapted for continuous regeneration and regenerates well after disturbance, often undergoing rapid regrowth to form thickets in response to mechanical damage

• Cultivation

  • Anopterus glandulosus is an attractive and easily cultivated plant, making it excellent for gardens

  • Successful cultivation can be achieved by germination of fresh seed or propagation from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in March or April

  • Germination from seed can take 4–5 months, and requires constant moisture

  • This species tolerates full sun to shade and is easily grown in a semi-protected environment, such as against a wall or fence, and grows particularly well as a container plant

  • It requires ample water in summer and benefits from application of non-phosphate based organic fertilisers along with manure and mulch

  • This species also responds well to annual pruning, and its attractive evergreen foliage can be harvested for floriculture

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anopterus_glandulosus (Jan 2024)