Halocarpus kirkii
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| Halocarpus kirkii (F.Muell. ex Parl.) Quinn |
Halocarpus kirkii (Monoao; syn. Dacrydium kirkii) is a native New Zealand tree. When seen at a distance, it resembles a small Kauri in its overall appearance. It can be usually distinguished by its juvenile foliage, which often remains on the lower branches until the tree breaches the 10 metres (10.93 yards) mark. the tree reaches a height of about 25 metres (27.34 yards), with a trunk up to 1 metre (3.2 feet) thick and grey-brown bark that has a rough, pustular texture. The pale reddish-brown wood is strong and durable.
The leaves of the younger trees and on the lower branches of the adults are narrow and to some extent leathery, up to 4cm long and 3mm wide. The adult leaves are thick, scale-like and much smaller; the leaves overlap and lie appressed to the branchlets in 4 rows.
It is not a common tree, sometimes being found in lowland forests to an altitude of 700 metres in the north of the North Island and on Great Barrier Island.
[edit] References
- Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Halocarpus kirkii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 August 2006.
- Gymnosperm Database: Halocarpus kirkii
