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Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch

Monkey-puzzle tree

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionConiferophytaConifers—cone-bearing trees (and a few shrubs)
ClassPinopsidaGymnosperms such as cedars, Douglas-firs, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews
OrderPinalesCone-bearing plants: cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, yew, and others
FamilyAraucariaceaeAraucarian family
GenusAraucariaNamed for the South Chilean province of Arauco
Speciesaraucana

About plant names...

The monkey-puzzle tree is native to south central Chile and west central Argentina. In these locations it is found in the Andes Mountains, usually above 3281′ (1 km). It is not found in the wild in North America. It is named because the shape and curl of the branches resemble monkey's tails.

Identification: Trees are evergreens, 98-131′ (30-40 m) tall and 3-5′ (1-1.5 m) around, and conical in shape. Bark is gray-brown, with rings left from older leaves. Branches form whorls of five, emerging almost horizontally from the trunk. Leaves are scale-like, with sharp tips. They cover every branch and even the trunk. Leaves are 1-1¾″ (3-5 cm) long and ¼-⅞″ (8-25 mm) wide. Male cones are yellowish-brown, 2½-6″ (7-15 cm) long × 1¾″ (5 cm) wide. Female cones are round, dark brown, 4-7″ (10-18 cm) long × 3-6″ (8-15 cm) wide. The individual scales of both cones have narrow, sharp tips. Don't confuse this with the related and similar-appearing Norfolk pine.

Online References:

The Gymnosperm Database

Floridata.com

Plants for a Future

Araucaria araucana (monkey-puzzle tree)

3/22/2011 · Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Ore­gon · By Heather Kent, Evan Griffith

Araucaria imbricata Pav.

 

Araucaria araucana description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Araucaria araucana (monkey-puzzle tree)

3/22/2011 · Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Ore­gon · By Heather Kent, Evan Griffith

Araucaria araucana (monkey-puzzle tree)

3/22/2011 · Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Ore­gon · By Heather Kent, Evan Griffith

Araucaria araucana (monkey-puzzle tree)

3/4/2001 · Haleakala, Hawaii ID is uncertain

Araucaria araucana (monkey-puzzle tree)

3/22/2011 · Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Ore­gon · By Heather Kent, Evan Griffith

Range:

About this map...