Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch.
Fully-hardy evergreen conical tree with whorled branches, becoming rounded as it loses its lower branches on maturing, with persistent, radially arranged, pointed, leathery leaves, to 5cm long, and ovoid female cones, to 15cm long, which ripen over 2-3 years, and similarly sized, cylindrical male cones. To 25m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Europe in 1796. [JD]. ‘The Araucaria imbricata, with the exception of one or two trees near the coast [of Chile] that have probably been planted, is only found in the interior of the Indian country, south of Biobio. The Indians of that neighbourhood subsist entirely on the seed of the Araucaria, which they harvest and bury in pits for winter use. The name of the tribe is derived from that of the tree which affords their food, the Araucaria being called Pehuca in the Indian language, and ches signifying people. Its wood is said to be very resinous and close-grained, but brittle. whether it be from the circumstance, or the difficulty of transporting it from the interior, I am not aware, but the timber of the Araucaria is never exported.’ [HBM p.171/1831]. Figured in Die Coniferen [Die Coniferen t.XLVIII, t.XLIX and t.L]. FS f.1577-1580/1860.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1843 and 1845 catalogues suggesting that it was short-lived in the gardens. It has recently been reintroduced.
Notes
Published Jul 28, 2009 - 04:54 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 02:33 PM
Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch. | Die Coniferen t.XLVIII/1840-41 | BHL
| Family | Araurcariaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Chile, Argentina |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Chilean pine, Monkey puzzle tree |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Araucaria imbricata – Chili pine |
| Confidence level | high |