Fuscospora cliffortioides. NZ Mountain Beech
Fuscospora cliffortioides. Syn Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides NZ Mountain Beech
A really nice fine leaved mountain Beech tree found in mountain and subalpine forests it tends to frequent the higher altitudes making a spectacular sight.
In recent years it and other New Zealand Nothofagus species have been placed in a new genus Fuscospora. However this is not internationally accepted yet and there will be many references to it as Nothofagus. Further this sub-species has been raised to specie status in this review.
An 12 m high evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand, the mountain beech has small twisted and sharply pointed leaves, around 12 mm long, densely packed in fan-like sprays. The young growth is soft and downy.
The black bark is a very distinctive feature.
Small, reddish brown flowers, heavy with pollen, open in spring. Although individually the flowers are not very significant, when in full bloom the tree develops a reddish cast.
In cultivation it is an excellent tree for specimen or landscape groups and is capable of withstanding exposed conditions. Good for city and rural plantings. They prefer acidic soil deep enough to support their large root system and should be planted out when small. Position in full sun and water well when young.
Most of the New Zealand ones host New Zealand Mistletoe species.
It is part of a group of trees called the Southern Beeches all found in the Southern Hemisphere. This group are found in New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea and southern South America.
A really nice fine leaved mountain Beech tree found in mountain and subalpine forests it tends to frequent the higher altitudes making a spectacular sight.
In recent years it and other New Zealand Nothofagus species have been placed in a new genus Fuscospora. However this is not internationally accepted yet and there will be many references to it as Nothofagus. Further this sub-species has been raised to specie status in this review.
An 12 m high evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand, the mountain beech has small twisted and sharply pointed leaves, around 12 mm long, densely packed in fan-like sprays. The young growth is soft and downy.
The black bark is a very distinctive feature.
Small, reddish brown flowers, heavy with pollen, open in spring. Although individually the flowers are not very significant, when in full bloom the tree develops a reddish cast.
In cultivation it is an excellent tree for specimen or landscape groups and is capable of withstanding exposed conditions. Good for city and rural plantings. They prefer acidic soil deep enough to support their large root system and should be planted out when small. Position in full sun and water well when young.
Most of the New Zealand ones host New Zealand Mistletoe species.
It is part of a group of trees called the Southern Beeches all found in the Southern Hemisphere. This group are found in New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea and southern South America.