Lepidothamnus laxifolius

Lepidothamnus laxifolius, commonly known as the pygmy pine or mountain rimu, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae.Lepidothamnus laxifolius is a high alpine specialist found in high-altitude bog communities and in scrub, often in association with Halocarpus bidwillii and Podocarpus nivalis.However, current taxonomy separates it as a distinct genus with three species, one endemic to southern Chile and the other two in New Zealand.All three species have a distinctive cone morphology not shared with other podocarps with its erect ovule, as well as the absence of resin ducts in the leaves.[5] They have narrow, linear spreading juvenile leaves that gradually change into more strongly keeled and appressed scales.
Conservation statusLeast ConcernIUCN 3.1Scientific classificationPlantaeTracheophytesGymnospermaePinophytaPinopsidaAraucarialesPodocarpaceaeLepidothamnusBinomial nameconiferendemicNew ZealandHalocarpus bidwilliiPodocarpus nivalisTongariro National ParkArthur's PassStewart IslandDacrydiumBenthamHookerflavonoidIUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesWikidataWikispeciesiNaturalistOpen Tree of LifePlant ListTropicos