Re: HUON PINE

Dear Bill and all,
This, and all the other fact-filled messages on medit-plants (mychorrazae,
propagation, etc., etc., etc.) is a true delight!
Elly Bade
On Tue, 4 May 1999, William A. Grant wrote:

> HUON PINE
> 
> The first specimen of Huon Pine to be scientifically studied was collected in 1818 by Allan Cunningham. Not until 1845 did Joseph Hooker give the tree its full scientific name, Dacrydium franklinii. The first word is derived from two Greek words (are you listening Tim L?) meaning "little teardrop" and was probably so applied to describe the tiny, loose female cones which hang as though "dripping" from the ends of the smaller branchlets. The specific name was in honor of Hooker’s friend, Sir John Franklin, the Arctic explorer and Governor of Tasmania from 1837-1843.
> 
> The fairly large genus Dacrydium included approx. 20 species with reps. ranging from Malaysia, So.America, NZ, and Tasmania.
> 
> Later the Tasmanian Huon Pine and another species from NZ were placed in a new genus - Lagarostrobos: a combination of two Greek words which mean "loose" or "open" cone.
> 
> The Huon Pine is confined solely to Tasmania and occurs mainly in the West and Southwest of the State, from sea-level to an altitude of about 750 m, in temperate rain forests fringing rivers and lakes. Trees may often attain a height of 20-25 m with an average diameter of 1 m at breast height.
> 
> They are often untidy and misshapen in appearance, especially along river banks. Some may be well formed and majestic, with a typical pyramidal "conifer" shape, with a dense crown and spreading to pendulous branches.
> 
> In a comparatively "young state" it is an attractive plant with graceful, arching top and pendulous branchlets.
> 
> A tree 50 cm in diameter may be more than 600 years old.
> 
> IF ANYONE WANTS MORE INFO I CAN FAX DETAILS.
> 
> Sawdust is put in small bags and sold for its perfume, to place among linens,etc. The smell is quite nice. I learned all this on my last trip to Tasmania. Bill Grant, Aptos, CA
> 
>
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