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