Diselma

Scale-like leaves appear in a square in cross section and red coloration of juvenile cone formation. Photo: R. Wiltshire

D. archeri cones

Diselma archeri is a compact, prostrate shrub which commonly reaches 1–4 m in height but has been recorded to reach greater heights in subalpine rainforest zones. The foliage has a grey-green appearance with branchlets curving downward at their tips. Branches are short, ridged and very numerous. Branchlet foliage appears square in cross-section and scale-like leaves (2–3 mm) are overlapping and arranged in opposite decussate pairs which are pressed close to the stem.[3] The square leaf arrangement is similar to that of Microcachrys tetragona (Podocarpaceae) (creeping pine) and the two species can easily be confused. However, M. tetragona lives up to its name and grows low to the ground, spreading out with only occasional erect branches. Another species which can be confused with Diselma is Phaerosphaera hookeriana (previously known as Microstrobos niphophilus ) which is in the family Podocarpaceae. Both these species have a similar growth habit and distribution, however, the opposite pairs of leaves on D. archeri again make it distinguishable from the other species.[4] Bark is rough and scaly and often weathered revealing a reddish-brown inner bark. Being a gymnosperm no flowers are produced, instead seed development occurs on the surface of the scale-like leaves which are modified to form cones (see image).[5]

Diselma archeri is a dioecious shrub, where male and female cones are located on separate individuals. Both types of cones are very small (3–4 mm) and occur at the branch tips. The female cone is composed of two pairs of opposite cone scales and only the upper pair of scales is fertile.[6] At maturity up to four small winged seeds are produced which are wind dispersed.[7] D. archeri seedlings are uncommon as the species often re-sprouts from roots and trunks buried in peat soils.[2]

Diselma : dis (meaning double) and selma (meaning upper) is a reference to either the two fertile scales in the female cone or the arrangement of the overlapping leaves in the opposite alternating pairs. archeri is named after botanical collector William Archer (1820-1874) who was also a Fellow of the Linnaean Society, an architect and Member of Parliament for Deloraine, Tasmania.[8] This species is commonly known as dwarf pine in reference to its prostrate growth pattern or Cheshunt pine which is in reference to a property belonging to William Archer, although the species would not have occurred there.[9]

Distribution map of Diselma archeri showing restriction to the South West and Central Plateau of Tasmania

A simplified phylogeny derived from molecular analysis[10] showing the phylogenetic relationship of Diselma to closely related genera in the Cupressaceae. Diselma's closest relative appears to be the South American genus Fitzroya.

Diselma archeri is endemic to Tasmania and is only found in high rainfall alpine and subalpine areas of the South West and Central Plateau of the state. Its altitudinal range varies from approximately 580-1400m above sea level. Like many Tasmanian conifers D. archeri is very fire sensitive and will only occur in fire free areas of alpine coniferous heath and montane rainforest.[11] This species can form a small tree (3-4m) in closed rainforest at high altitude and some ecologists consider Diselma to be one of the seven genera which can be used as rainforest indicators in Tasmania.[12] In more open coniferous heathland the Dwarf Pine grows more prostrate and only reaches approximately 1-2m in height.

The closest relatives to Diselma appear to be the South American genus Fitzroya, another monotypic genus in the subfamily Callitroideae, the Southern Hemisphere clade of Cupressaceae.[10] Fossils of both Diselma and Fitzroya have been recorded in Tasmania.[13] This evidence indicates that Diselma archeri is most likely a paleoendemic and is the last remaining species in a genus that was once more extensive and has refuged to specific alpine zones due to changing climate.[14]

• Gymnosperm Database: Diselma archeri