Pherosphaera hookeriana, or Mount Mawson pine (previously known as Microstrobos niphophilus), is a dwarf conifer endemic to Tasmania, at altitudes above 600 meters.

The foliage of Pherosphaera hookeriana is well adapted to the high altitudinal ranges it occupies, with small imbricate scale leaves, the stomata are restricted to the adaxial surface and protected by a marginal leaf frill (Hill and Brodribb 1999).

Pherosphaera hookeriana is one of only two species in the genus, and is one of the five taxa in the family Podocarpaceae with four being endemic to Tasmania (de Salas & Baker 2016).

Pherosphaera hookeriana is endemic to Tasmania's west, southwest and central plateau, the current distribution of the species is most likely to be a reflection of post-glacial expansion from refugia and subsequent fire events (Kirkpatrick & Dickinson 1984) Pherosphaera hookeriana exists in altitudinal ranges from 600 to 1300 meters above sea level in a wide range of habitats from alpine to Sphagnum bogs, the common element through the environments the species inhabits is the high soil moisture content and annual rainfall.

Most populations of the species occurs on soils derived from Jurassic dolerite, with an exception being a stand in Artichoke Valley near Frenchmans Cap, which grows on sedimentary deposits.

Pherosphaera hookeriana is listed under the old name Microstrobos niphophilus as vulnerable under the Tasmanian Threatened species protection act of 1995, after having its classification updated from rare in 2001.

Populations at lower altitudes closer to more flammable vegetation communities are considered to be at extreme risk of fire damage over the coming decades.

The possibility that many of the stands of this species are clonal in combination with the breeding strategy, could potentially set a limit on viable seeds in some areas.