SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 2711.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "2711" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

bunya bunya

Scientific Name: Araucaria bidwillii

Family: Araucariaceae

Category: Gymnosperm

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii)

The Bunya Pine, scientifically known as Araucaria bidwillii, is a majestic and distinctive coniferous tree. Despite its common name, it is not a true pine but belongs to the Araucariaceae family.

Common Names: Bunya pine, bunya-bunya, bunyi, booni-booni, bonya, Bunya-Bunya Pine, False Monkey Puzzle, Monkey Puzzle Tree.

Derivation of Name:

  • Araucaria: Named after the province of Arauco in Chile.
  • bidwillii: Honors John Carne Bidwill (1815-1853), a botanical collector.

Considerations for Pets

  • The Bunya Pine has stiff, sharp, glossy needles.
  • Large cones drop from the tree.

Considerations for Children

  • The Bunya Pine has stiff, sharp, glossy needles in distinct rows.
  • Large cones dropping from the tree can pose a hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Araucariaceae
  • Genus: Araucaria
  • Synonyms: Bunya-Bunya Pine, False Monkey Puzzle, Monkey Puzzle Tree

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to south-east Queensland, Australia, particularly between Gympie and the Bunya Mountains northeast of Dalby.
  • Also found in Bunya Mountains National Park.
  • Was grown in Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida, until the late 90's.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Large evergreen coniferous tree, growing from eighty to two hundred and fifty feet in height.
  • Has a straight, rough-barked trunk.
  • Bare horizontal branches with a tuft of glossy green foliage.
  • Has a distinctive dome-shaped crown.

Ecological Role

  • Likely remnants of an almost continuous larger population that stretched from the coastal areas into the Bunya Mountains.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The seeds were historically a staple food for Australian Aboriginals.

Quirky Facts

  • During Bunya Pine season, the sound of the large cones crashing to the ground is distinctive.
  • The cones are so large they don't fit into a picture crop.
  • The seeds taste like roasted chestnuts when ripe.

Further Information

  • Dave's Garden
  • Teachers on the Web, Queensland Bunya Feast