Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatum
Usually a conical tree to c. 30 m high. Leaves nutmeg-scented when crushed, 2–6(–8) cm long, 0.8–2.5 cm wide, upper surface green, shiny, soon becoming glabrous, lower surface grey to white, densely hairy (rarely glabrescent); apex acute. Flowers pleasantly perfumed; perianth segments 6–10 mm long, cream to white, often streaked purple. Fruiting receptacle c. 10–12 mm long, densely hairy; achenes c. 10–20 mm long (including slender, plumose awn 8–17 mm long), tawny brown. Flowers Jul.–Oct.
GipP, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, Strz, MonT, HFE, VAlp. In cool-temperate rainforest often as a co-dominant with Nothofagus cunninghamii (Eastern Highlands) or Elaeocarpus holopetalus (East Gippsland).
Its apparent absence from rainforests of the Otway Range (where Nothofagus cunninghamii is abundant) is somewhat paradoxical. A MEL collection labelled 'upper Gellibrand' from the mid-1800s suggests that the species formerly occurred in the region but is now probably extinct there.
Spinning
