Description Araucaria

araucaria araucana seed cones

araucaria large trees massive erect stem, reaching height of 5–80 metres (16–262 ft). horizontal, spreading branches grow in whorls , covered leathery or needle-like leaves. in species, leaves narrow, awl-shaped , lanceolate, barely overlapping each other; in others broad , flat, , overlap broadly.

the trees dioecious, male , female cones found on separate trees, though occasional individuals monoecious or change sex time. female cones, high on top of tree, globose, , vary in size among species 7 25 centimetres (2.8 9.8 in) diameter. contain 80–200 large edible seeds, similar pine nuts, though larger. male cones smaller, 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) long, , narrow broad cylindrical, 1.5–5.0 cm (0.6–2.0 in) broad.

the genus familiar many people genus of distinctive chilean pine or monkey-puzzle tree (araucaria araucana). genus named after spanish exonym araucano ( arauco ) applied mapuches of central chile , south-west argentina, territory incorporates natural stands of genus. mapuche people call pehuén, , consider sacred. mapuches living in andes name pehuenches ( people of pehuén ) traditionally harvested seeds extensively food.

no distinct vernacular name exists genus. many called pine , although distantly related true pines, in genus pinus.