Antarctic beech

plant

Also known as: Nothofagus antarctica, nire

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "Antarctic beech" refers to any of several trees belonging to the genus Nothofagus. These trees are native to cool, temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere.12

There are two primary types:
* Nothofagus antarctica: A medium-sized deciduous tree found in southern Argentina and Chile, known for its glossy, sweet-scented dark-green leaves. Its hardwood is used for flooring and cabinetmaking.12
* Nothofagus moorei: A tall evergreen tree from eastern Australia, characterized by a large trunk, glossy dark-green leaves, and hard wood.12

The unusual distribution of Nothofagus species across South America, Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea is often cited as evidence for continental drift.2

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temperate forest
Flora
…evergreen species of beech (Nothofagus), with different species occurring in each region. Few other trees typically coexist with Nothofagus in these cool forests, which also lack climbers and vascular epiphytes, although they may have a great abundance of mosses on tree trunks, branches, and sometimes leaves. In Australia other…
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…evergreen species of beech (Nothofagus), with different species occurring in each region. Few other trees typically coexist with Nothofagus in these cool forests, which also lack climbers and vascular epiphytes, although they may have a great abundance of mosses on tree trunks, branches, and sometimes leaves. In Australia other…
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southern beech
Major species
…Antarctic beech, or nire (Nothofagus antarctica), and the roble beech (N. obliqua), both 30-meter (98-foot) trees native to Chile and Argentina, differ from most other species of southern beech in being deciduous; they are planted as ornamentals on other continents. The pink-brown hardwood of the Antarctic beech is used…
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…Antarctic beech, or nire (Nothofagus antarctica), and the roble beech (N. obliqua), both 30-meter (98-foot) trees native to Chile and Argentina, differ from most other species of southern beech in being deciduous; they are planted as ornamentals on other continents. The pink-brown hardwood of the Antarctic beech is used…
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