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araucaria

Scientific Name: Araucaria

Family: Araucariaceae

Category: Gymnosperm

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Araucaria: An Overview

The genus Araucaria encompasses a group of impressive, cone-bearing evergreen trees found in various parts of the world. This page provides an overview of their characteristics, distribution, and other interesting facts.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some species within the Araucaria genus can grow into large trees with horizontal, spreading branches that could potentially pose a climbing hazard for some pets.

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Araucaria
  • Family: Araucariaceae (the araucaria family)
  • The genus includes species such as Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle Tree), Araucaria angustifolia, Araucaria columnaris (New Caledonia pine), and Araucaria heterophylla.
  • Synonym for Araucaria araucana: Araucaria imbricata

Common Names

  • Monkey Puzzle Tree, Monkey Tail Tree, Chilean Pine, Pehun (for Araucaria araucana)

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Araucaria genus is native to South America, Australia, and islands of the southwest Pacific Ocean.
  • Araucaria araucana is native to Argentina and Chile.
  • Araucaria heterophylla is native to Norfolk Island, a sub-tropical island in the Pacific Ocean.
  • New Caledonia is noted as one of the world’s centers of plant endemism, with 13 species of Araucaria (11 endemic).

Morphological Characteristics

  • Araucaria species are mainly large trees with a massive erect stem, reaching a height of 30-80 meters (98-262 ft).
  • The horizontal, spreading branches grow in whorls.

Ecological Role

  • In some regions, Araucaria plantations play an important role in the conservation of certain bird species. For example, the Araucaria Tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura setaria) benefits from these plantations.

Quirky Facts

  • The common name "Monkey Puzzle Tree" (Araucaria araucana) arose because it was said that a monkey would be puzzled how to climb it.

Further Resources

  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, is undertaking research into the endemic conifers of New Caledonia.
  • Information can be found at the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) website.
  • The Plant List provides taxonomic information on Araucaria species.