Anopterus glandulosus
| Tasmanian laurel | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Escalloniales |
| Family: | Escalloniaceae |
| Genus: | Anopterus |
| Species: | A. glandulosus |
| Binomial name | |
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Anopterus glandulosus Labill. |
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Anopterus glandulosus, commonly known as native laurel or Tasmanian laurel, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Escalloniaceae. Endemic to south and southwestern Tasmania, A. glandulosus is widespread in the moist understoreys of Tasmanian temperate rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests from sea level to mountainous regions below 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) above sea level.
The name Anopterus comes from the Ancient Greek words ano (upwards) and pteron (wing), referring to its characteristic winged seeds, while glandulosus refers to the glandular tips present at the end of each leaf serration. 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 or ‘Queensland Laurel’/ ‘Macleay Laurel’ is found in subtropical, warm and cool temperate forests near the coast in New South Wales and Queensland.
Anopterus glandulosus usually grows as small understorey shrub ranging from 2 to 4 metres (6 ft 7 in to 13 ft 1 in) in height and 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in width, however, can be grow as a small canopy tree up to 10 metres (33 ft). In shaded understorey conditions its growth habit is often straggly with branches forming layers resulting in coppiced growth. Leaves are large, 7 to 17 centimetres (3 to 7 in) in length and 2 to 4 centimetres (0.79 to 1.57 in) 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.
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Wikipedia