View source for Nothofagus cunninghamii

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Antarctic Beech
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fagales]]
| familia = [[Nothofagus|Nothofagaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Nothofagus]]''
| species = '''''N. cunninghamii'''''
| binomial = ''Nothofagus cunninghamii''
| binomial_authority = (Hook.) [[Anders Sandoe Oersted (botanist)|Oerst.]]
}}

The '''Myrtle Beech''' (''Nothofagus cunninghamii''), is an [[evergreen]] tree native to south eastern [[Australia]] and [[Tasmania]]. It grows mainly in the diminishing temperate [[rainforest]]s.  It is not related to the [[Myrtaceae|Myrtle family]].

These trees typically grow to 55 m tall and have large trunks with scaly, dark brown bark. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are simple and alternate, growing 1 cm long. The leaf color is dark green, with new growth brilliant red, pink or orange in spring. They are triangular with irregular minute teeth. The [[flower]]s are inconspicuous yellow-green [[catkin]]s. The [[fruit]] is a 6 mm, capsule containing three small winged [[nut (fruit)|nuts]]. 

Occasionally you will see large orange-like fruiting bodies of a fungus protuding from the trunk.