How old are Wet Forest understories?

Abstract Radiocarbon ages were derived from 12 individuals representing four species of woody understorey plants growing in the Eucalyptus regnans dominated Wet Forests of Victoria's Central Highlands. Cyathea australis, Dicksonia antarctica and Olearia argophylla are common and often dominate the understorey. The fourth species, Persoonia arborea , is a small understorey tree endemic to this region. Field observations and radiocarbon ages for these four species (up to 370 ± 70 years BP) indicate they are capable of surviving fire and are long‐lived in this environment.