Nothofagaceae

Nothofagaceae, commonly known as southern beech, is a family of trees and shrubs native to cooler regions of the Southern Hemisphere. This genus, Nothofagus, comprises about 35 to 40 species and was previously classified within the beech and oak family (Fagaceae).12

The distribution of southern beeches across South America, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and New Guinea is often cited as evidence for continental drift following the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. Their seeds are highly susceptible to seawater damage, making their current distribution a testament to continental movement or long-distance bird transport.12

Some species, like the Antarctic beech (Nothofagus antarctica) and roble beech (N. obliqua), are deciduous and grown as ornamentals. Others, such as the Tasmanian tanglefoot (N. gunnii), are also deciduous. Many southern beeches are evergreen timber trees, including the Australian beech (N. moorei) and the myrtle beech (N. cunninghamii). Nothofagus is ecologically similar to birches and can be considered the Southern Hemisphere counterpart to them.13