Atherosperma
Atherosperma moschatum, the Southern Sassafras or Blackheart Sassafras is an evergreen tree native to the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. It is common in the rainforests of Tasmania and Victoria, but more scattered and rare in the higher altitudes of eastern New South Wales. The northernmost area is at Mount Grundy, west of Port Macquarie.
Taxonomy
The southern sassafras was first described by French naturalist Jacques Labillardière in 1806, and is the only member of the genus Atherosperma. Its generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek ather "awn", and sperma "seed", from the hairs on the fruit, and the specific epithet moschatus is the Latin adjective meaning "musk-scented", from the smell of the bark. It is a member of the small family Atherospermataceae along with several other Australian rainforest trees including yellow sassafras (Doryphora sassafras).
Description
The Southern Sassafras is a small to medium-sized tree, growing around 6 to 25 metres tall. However, in Tasmania it can reach heights exceeding 40 metres and a width of a metre. It can be identified by the conical shape, the pale green leaves and fragrant scent.
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