Description
Araucaria
This remarkable geologically ancient genus consist of 19 species of evergreen coniferous trees from tropical rainforest occur where theirs a pronounced dry season like in Guinea, Australia, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, and Brazil. The densely crowded overlapping leaves are spirally arranged and usually broadly triangular to needle-like. Male and female organs are on the same tree that first appear green maturing to brown. The female cones are spherical ovoid or ellipsoid with seeds fused to the bract scale, the male cones are conical or cylindrical both are usually found at the top of the trees.
Most are used for large gardens but can be grown indoors in soil-based potting mix in full light with good ventilation. In growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks, keep just moist in winter.
Cold tolerance of the genus varies to each species; grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun in an open protected site. It may be a fast grower if conditions are right.
Prone to needle necrosis, bleeding cankers, mealy bugs, and scale insects.
Araucaria bidwillii – Bunya Bunya – Bunya Pine –This coniferous tree is a slow grower from the rainforest of Southeastern Queensland, Australia grows to 100-150’ feet tall and 20-30’ feet wide. The trunk can reach 6’ feet in diameter. When young it’s conical in shaped but in maturity sheds it’s lower branches and becomes rounded. It has blackish bark. It produces flattened spirally arranged in 2 rows, glossy, mid green, lance shaped, twisted, and overlapping sharp pointed leaves ¾-2” long. Female cones grow to 12” long and 8” in diameter weighing up to 18 pounds and spherical in shape. Male cones are 4-7” long are cylindrical with edible seed. Can adapt to somewhat cooler conditions but by seashores.
Zones 8-11
