{{Short description|Species of tree}} {{redirect-distinguish|Myrtle beech|Myrtle Beach}} {{Speciesbox | image = Nothofagus cunninghamii kz02.jpg | image_caption = Adult Foliage | status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Baldwin, H. |author2=Barstow, M. |author3=Rivers, M.C. |date=2018 |title=''Nothofagus cunninghamii'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T61917935A61917949 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61917935A61917949.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Nothofagus | parent = Nothofagus subg. Lophozonia | species = cunninghamii | authority = ([[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hook.f.]])[[Anders Sandøe Ørsted (botanist)|Oerst.]] | synonyms = ''Lophozonia cunninghamii''<br />''Fagus cunninghamii'' }}
'''''Nothofagus cunninghamii''''', commonly known as '''myrtle beech''' or '''Tasmanian myrtle''', is the dominant species of cool temperate rainforests in Tasmania and Southern Victoria. It has low fire resistance and grows best in partial shade conditions.
It has rough bark covered in mosses and epiphytic growth. Its leaves are triangular-shaped, small, and dark green with differentiated margins. It has white unisexual flowers.
== Description and habit == [[File:Nothofagus cunninghamii kz01.jpg|thumb|Triangular leaves with clear teeth of N. cunninghamii leaves|left|279x279px]] ''N. cunninghamii'' range from trees of up to 50 meters in protected rainforest valleys to low-growing alpine shrubs less than 1 m tall in exposed conditions. Maximum height is about 55 m.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nothofagus cunninghamii |url=http://anpsa.org.au/n-cun.html |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=anpsa.org.au}}</ref>
The [[Leaf|leaves]] are simple and alternate,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Species information: Nothofagus cunninghamii |url=https://www.utas.edu.au/docs/plant_science/field_botany/species/dicots/fagasp/nothcunn.html |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=www.utas.edu.au}}</ref> growing 0.5–1.5 cm long, and in Victoria up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long. The leaves are dark green, with new growth brilliant red, pink or orange in spring. They are triangular with irregular minute teeth with craspedodromous veins with all secondary veins terminate at leaf margins and spread from a central primary midrib vein. The tertiary veins are poorly defined.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Hill |first1=Rs |title=Evolution of Nothofagus cunninghamii and its relationship to N. moorei as inferred from Tasmanian macrofossils |journal=Australian Journal of Botany |date=1983 |volume=31 |issue=5 |page=453 |doi=10.1071/BT9830453 |bibcode=1983AuJB...31..453H }}</ref>
The plants have separate unisexual male and female [[flower]]s on the same tree. Male flowers have hanging stamens and grow solitarily while female flowers lack stamens and cluster by leaves near the tips of branches. They flower in November and December.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Australian National Botanic Gardens |first=Parks Australia |title=Nothofagus cunninghamii - Growing Native Plants |url=https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/trainees-2018/nothofagus-cunninghamii.html |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=www.anbg.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> The [[fruit]] is small (about 6 mm) and woody. They contain three small-winged [[Nut (fruit)|nuts]] with fertile seeds from December to February. Seeds germinate in 6–8 weeks.
''N. cunninghamii'' is a fairly robust species, requiring around 900 mm of rain spread throughout the year. It is also frost tolerant to –7 °C.
It can grow in full shade, albeit slowly, through to full sun, given enough water, but grows best in partial sun conditions. It grows best in moist and well-draining soil.<ref name=":2" />
== Distribution and habitat == ''N. cunninghami''i is the dominant species in [[Tasmanian temperate rainforests|cool temperate rainforest]] across Tasmania and southern Victoria.<ref name=":0" /> [[File:N. cunninghamii range.png|center|thumb|Range according to Atlas of Living Australia]] It is most common in Tasmania, where it occurs in most regions except the drier Midlands and east coast. The largest remaining tract of ''N. cunninghamii-''dominated rainforest is [[Tarkine|takayna/Tarkine]] in the Northwest of Tasmania. It is the largest remaining tract of cool temperate rainforest in Australia. In [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], ''N. cunninghamii'' grows best in the deep red mountain soils or in highly organic soils in the Central Highlands, Strzelecki Ranges, Otway Ranges, and Wilsons Promontory.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Worth |first1=James R. P. |last2=Jordan |first2=Gregory J. |last3=McKinnon |first3=Gay E. |last4=Vaillancourt |first4=René E. |title=The major Australian cool temperate rainforest tree Nothofagus cunninghamii withstood Pleistocene glacial aridity within multiple regions: evidence from the chloroplast |journal=New Phytologist |date=April 2009 |volume=182 |issue=2 |pages=519–532 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02761.x |pmid=19210718 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2009NewPh.182..519W }}</ref>
== Taxonomy and naming == [[File:N. cunninghamii foliage.jpg|thumb|Young ''N. cunninghamii'' in takayna/Tarkine]] The beech or [[Fagaceae]] family includes nine genera: ''Fagus, Nothofagus, Lithocarpus, Castanopsis, Colombobalanus, Castanea, Chrysolepis, Quercus,'' and ''Trigonobalanus.''<ref name=":3">{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B0-12-145160-7/00192-7 |chapter=TEMPERATE ECOSYSTEMS | Fagaceae |title=Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences |date=2004 |last1=Rogers |first1=R. |pages=1419–1427 |isbn=978-0-12-145160-8 }}</ref>
Nothofagus means "false beech" although there is some suggestion that this is due to a misspelling of the intent ''NOTOfagus'', meaning "southern beech." There is a suggestion that the genus was changed due to a spelling error.<ref name=":3" /> There are about 40 species of Nothofagus, with only three occurring in Australia: ''N cunninghamii, gunnii, and moorei.'' ''[[Nothofagus gunnii]]'' is a deciduous beech endemic to Tasmania that grows in low-fire, alpine regions. ''[[Nothofagus moorei]]'', or Antarctic beech, is another cool temperate rainforest evergreen found in patches in New South Wales and Southern Queensland.
''Nothofagus cunninghamii'' is named for the 19th century botanist and 'explorer', [[Allan Cunningham (botanist)|Allan Cunningham]], who is best known for his plant collection career throughout Australia.
In 2013, ''N. cunninghamii'' was proposed to be renamed ''Lophozonia cunninghamii.'' This is due to the other species in the family Nothofagaceae with significant differences in morphology and genetics throughout South America, New Zealand, Australia, and other relict Gondwanan rainforests.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Heenan |first1=Peter B. |last2=Smissen |first2=Rob D. |title=Revised circumscription of Nothofagus and recognition of the segregate genera Fuscospora, Lophozonia, and Trisyngyne (Nothofagaceae) |journal=Phytotaxa |date=12 November 2013 |volume=146 |issue=1 |page=1 |doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.146.1.1 |bibcode=2013Phytx.146....1H }}</ref> There has been controversy over the change in name from ''Nothofagus'' to ''Lophozonia'' with the argument that the phylogenetic history suits retaining the genus ''Nothofagus''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hill |first1=Robert S. |last2=Jordan |first2=Gregory J. |last3=Macphail |first3=Michael K. |title=Why we should retain Nothofagus sensu lato |journal=Australian Systematic Botany |date=2015 |volume=28 |issue=3 |page=190 |doi=10.1071/SB15026 |bibcode=2015AuSyB..28..190H }}</ref>
== Ecology == [[File:Cyttaria gunii on Nothofagus cunninghamii.JPG|thumb|Cyttaria gunii on Nothofagus cunninghamii|left]] Occasionally one may see round, orange-like fruiting bodies of a fungus protruding from the trunk; this is [[Cyttaria gunnii]]. Cyttaria are obligate biotrophic associates of myrtle beech and have co-evolved with Nothofagus.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-819990-9.00052-4 |chapter=Phylogenetic Advances in Leotiomycetes, an Understudied Clade of Taxonomically and Ecologically Diverse Fungi |title=Encyclopedia of Mycology |date=2021 |last1=Quandt |first1=C. Alisha |last2=Haelewaters |first2=Danny |pages=284–294 |isbn=978-0-323-85180-0 }}</ref>
It grows in temperate rainforest with other rainforest species including southern sassafras (''[[Atherosperma|Atherosperma moschatum]]''), leatherwood (''[[Eucryphia lucida]]''), horizontal''[[Anodopetalum|(Anodopetalum biglandulosum]]'') and celery-top pine (''[[Phyllocladus aspleniifolius]])''.<ref name=":0" /> They also form important habitat for birds who use the tree for nesting and safety.
''N. cunninghamii'' grow throughout a variety of ecosystems but establish best in partial sun in wet sclerophyll understory. In mixed forests, the tree species will be made up of primarily ''N. cunninghamii'' and sassafras with a tall eucalyptus overstory. Once these remaining eucalypts die, the myrtle beech will become the dominant species forming a pure rainforest. This process takes several hundred years. This ecosystem is retained by rare fires in wet conditions that prevent eucalypt seeds from germinating. In the event of a big fire, the pure rainforest will be replaced by eucalypts and the process of reestablishing a rainforest will restart. Myrtle beech rarely survives intense fire, and must re-establish from neighbouring areas. They can, however, survive light fires by regenerating from seed or vegetatively from [[Anatomical terms of location|basal]] [[epicormic shoot]]s.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Both N. cunninghamii and the closely related [[Nothofagus moorei|N. moorei]] are excellent hosts for [[epiphyte]]s.[[File:Bewitched Tasmanian forest. Overland track Day5 (11497303533).jpg|thumb|Cool temperate rainforest ecosystem|left]]
== Evolution == ''Nothofagus'' is an ancient relict that was present in [[Gondwana]]n rainforests and today grows across the Southern Hemisphere.<ref name=":0" />
''N. cunninghamii'' is most closely related to ''N. moorei,'' the other species of evergreen ''Nothofagus'' endemic to Australia. The two likely evolved from a [[Paleogene]] ancestor. Due to cooling since the [[Paleogene]], leaves may have been pressured to evolve to smaller sizes in colder environments. This may explain the evolution toward smaller leaves than their ancestor as well as the northern boundary for ''N. cunnninghamii'' where it is replaced by the larger-leafed ''N. moorei'' in warmer Northern environments.<ref name=":1" />
== Threats == Myrtle wilt, a parasitic fungus, (''Chalara australis'') attacks myrtle beech when the air or water-borne spores settle on open wounds. Myrtle wilt only infects ''N. cunninghamii'' and is a deadly pathogen that infects roots and trunks. It causes tree crown wilting and foliage to turn brown and yellow. ''C. australis'' can spread to neighbouring trees through roots, creating large patches of dead trees. Due to higher rates of root graphing, the fungus is more prolific in pure rainforest than mixed forest. Dead stands of this dominant species can completely change the ecosystem in cool temperate rainforests.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first=Ian W |date=September 2005 |title=MYRTLE WILT: A disease of Myrtle Beech |url=https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1014924/0 |journal=State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment |pages=1–5}}</ref> Infection of myrtle wilt can also increase the impact of other threats such as the [[ambrosia beetle]] (''Platypus subgranosus).'' Ambrosia beetles bore holes into myrtles producing a dust called frass. [[Frass]] can contribute to the spread of the ''C. australis'' and increase available wounds susceptible to the fungus.<ref name=":4" />
Myrtle wilt is a natural disease of ''N. cunninghamii;'' research points to a low rate of mortality due to the fungus in undisturbed forest (0.61%) but drastic increase in mortality in areas with human disturbance. In recent years, myrtle wilt has become a serious problem due to poor logging practices. Rates of myrtle wilt are increased along roads, walking tracks, and logging areas likely due to decreased protection against elements, increasing the potential for injury and infection.
Temperate myrtle beech rainforests are not protected in many areas of Tasmania and are threatened by mining and logging.<ref name=":5">{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-821139-7.00002-7 |chapter=Tasmanian Temperate Rainforests |title=Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation |date=2022 |last1=Cadman |first1=Sean T. |pages=53–67 |isbn=978-0-12-821139-7 }}</ref> Due to a lack of protection, these rainforest species continue to be threatened by extractive activities.
Due to their low fire resistance, myrtle beech are also threatened by wildfires of increasing intensity and frequency due to climate change.<ref name=":5" /> Climate change also increases the threat of myrtle wilt as the fungus is more fit in warmer environments.<ref name=":4" />
==Uses and cultivation== It is an excellent [[cabinetry]] timber which is hard with strong, tough, close grain. It is a soft pink to reddish brown, often figured and can be polished to a fine sheen. It is used for flooring, [[joiner]]y, [[Gear|cogs]] of wheels, and furniture, and is good for steam bending, turnery and carving. It is harvested from [[old growth forest]] but the vast majority of the timber is left on the ground as it grows with the heavily harvested [[Eucalyptus regnans|mountain ash]]. Dry density is 700 kg/m3.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bootle |first1=Keith R. |title=Wood in Australia: Types, Properties and Uses |date=2005 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=978-0-07-471312-9 |page=423 }}</ref>
It is easily grown from fresh seed, germinating in a few weeks.
Cuttings can be struck, although they tend to perform less well than seed grown plants. Cultivated specimens survive temperatures of 45 °C (113 °F) down to −7 °C (19 °F); though it is known that trees growing in the mountains can withstand lower temperatures at least to −15 °C (5 °F), and no source provenance selection has been made for cultivation from there. Trees cultivated in western Scotland are stout and hardy.<ref>Letter from Crarae Garden. 1993. A list Nothofagus species growing at Crarae Garden in Scotland.{{vs|date=April 2024}}</ref> Examples of the species can be viewed at [[The Tasmanian Arboretum]].
== References == {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book |last1=Wrigley |first1=J. W. |last2=Fagg |first2=M. |title=Australian Native Plants |publisher=Collins |year=1988 |isbn=0-7322-0021-0}}
==External links== *[http://www.oren.org.au/issues/naturecons/rainforest/myrtlewilt/MWintro.htm Myrtle wilt]
{{Nothofagaceae species}} {{Taxonbar|from1=Q2604825|from2=Q42747074}}
[[Category:Nothofagaceae]] [[Category:Fagales of Australia]] [[Category:Flora of Tasmania]] [[Category:Flora of Victoria (state)]] [[Category:Trees of Australia]] [[Category:Endemic flora of Australia]] [[Category:Forests of Tasmania]] [[Category:Trees of mild maritime climate]] [[Category:Garden plants of Australia]] [[Category:Ornamental trees]]