The vegetation in Tasmania's alpine environments is predominately woody and shrub-like. One vegetation type is coniferous shrubbery, characterised by the gymnosperm species Microcachrys tetragona, Pherosphaera hookeriana, Podocarpus lawrencei, and Diselma archeri. Distribution of these species is relevant with abiotic factors including edaphic conditions and fire frequency, and increasingly, the threat of climate change towards species survival exists. Conservation and management of coniferous shrubbery are necessary considering that the paleoendemic species, Microcachrys, Pherosphaera and Diselma, have persisted in western Tasmanian environments for millions of years  Coniferous shrub species can be observed in Mount Field National Park in Tasmania's south west Along the Tarn Shelf. All species can be observed in rocky environments with shallow soil above 1,000 meters . FamilySpeciesCommon nameHabitLeavesConesDistinguishing featuresPodocarpaceaeMicrocachrys tetragonaCreeping pineProstrate slow-growing conifer, 1-2m in width 1-1.5mm , dense, opposite and decussate along branchlets, giving a square appearanceMale and female cones on separate plants. Male cones small and terminal. Female cones terminal and fleshy and red when matureThe only natural prostrate coniferPherosphaera hookerianaDrooping pineSmall to medium, dense conifer shrub, 1.5-3m in height, 1-4m in widthSmall to 2mm , dense and appressed, spiralling, dark green to oliveMale and female cones on separate plants. Male cones solitary, terminal, round with purple brown scales. Inconspicuous female cones pendulous, brown when ripeLeaves are arranged spirally.Podocarpus lawrenceiMountain plumpineBranched shrub growing over boulders, 0.5-2m in height, 2-3m in widthCrowded, rigid, linear-oblong, 6-15mm long, green to blue-green upper surface, paler undersurface with prominent veinMale cones cylindrical, 5mm long. Female cones solitary 3-5mm long, with a fleshy scale. Seed stalk expands to become red and succulent with a green seedA spreading pine with linear leaves 6-15mm longCupressaceaeDiselma archeriDwarf pineShrub to small tree, prostrate in exposed areas, spreading forming dense, weeping bushes, 2-6m in height, 1-1.4m in widthSmall and scale-like, opposite, decussate and overlappingImmature male and female cones on separate plant but inconspicuous. Male cones small, solitary and terminal with crimson pollen sacs. Female cones spherical, about 4mm , with two pairs of scales. Seeds small, winged, two per coneUppermost branches with drooping tips 248x248px|Pherosphaera hookeriana 248x248px|Microcachrys tetragona
The vegetation in Tasmania's alpine environments is predominately woody and shrub-like. One vegetation type is coniferous shrubbery, characterised by the gymnosperm species Microcachrys tetragona, Pherosphaera hookeriana, Podocarpus lawrencei, and Diselma archeri. Distribution of these species is relevant with abiotic factors including edaphic conditions and fire frequency, and increasingly, the threat of climate change towards species survival exists. Conservation and management of coniferous shrubbery are necessary considering that the paleoendemic species, Microcachrys, Pherosphaera and Diselma, have persisted in western Tasmanian environments for millions of years . Coniferous shrub species can be observed in Mount Field National Park in Tasmania's south west along the Tarn Shelf. All species can be observed in rocky environments with shallow soil above . FamilySpeciesCommon nameHabitLeavesConesDistinguishing featuresPodocarpaceaeMicrocachrys tetragonaCreeping pineProstrate slow-growing conifer, in width , dense, opposite and decussate along branchlets, giving a square appearanceMale and female cones on separate plants. Male cones small and terminal. Female cones terminal and fleshy and red when matureThe only natural prostrate coniferPherosphaera hookerianaDrooping pineSmall to medium, dense conifer shrub, in height, in widthSmall to , dense and appressed, spiralling, dark green to oliveMale and female cones on separate plants. Male cones solitary, terminal, round with purple brown scales. Inconspicuous female cones pendulous, brown when ripeLeaves are arranged spirally.Podocarpus lawrenceiMountain plumpineBranched shrub growing over boulders, in height, in widthCrowded, rigid, linear-oblong, long, green to blue-green upper surface, paler undersurface with prominent veinMale cones cylindrical, long. Female cones solitary long, with a fleshy scale. Seed stalk expands to become red and succulent with a green seedA spreading pine with linear leaves longCupressaceaeDiselma archeriDwarf pineShrub to small tree, prostrate in exposed areas, spreading forming dense, weeping bushes, in height, in widthSmall and scale-like, opposite, decussate and overlappingImmature male and female cones on separate plant but inconspicuous. Male cones small, solitary and terminal with crimson pollen sacs. Female cones spherical, about , with two pairs of scales. Seeds small, winged, two per coneUppermost branches with drooping tips 248x248px|Pherosphaera hookeriana 248x248px|Microcachrys tetragona
A
.
R
Along
along
D
1,000 meters
R
1-2m in width 1-1.5mm
in width
D
1.5-3m
D
1-4m
D
2mm
D
0.5-2m
D
2-3m
D
6-15mm
D
5mm
D
3-5mm
D
6-15mm
D
2-6m
D
1-1.4m
D
4mm