Araucaria cunninghamii Hawaii

Description :

This plant is an ornamental evergreen large tree which grows up to the height of about 40 to 50 m. The tree has a shape of conical crown and with the passage of time it becomes rounded and irregular. The branches of the tree are spread broadly in rings about 0.7 m. The Bark is dark greyish brown, with horizontal lines. The leaves are awl shaped in young trees, and are 0.7 to 2 cm long, about 1.5 to 2.5 mm broad. In mature tree the leaves become incurved and scale-like, 1 to 2.5 cm long and about 4 mm wide. The tree has ovoid cones which are 9 to 12 cm long and 5 to 8 cm in diameter. They disintegrate when they become mature and releases nut like edible seeds.

Distribution :

This specie is native to Australia. This tree can also be found in other areas of the worlds including Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. This can also be cultivated in the south Asia including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. In Pakistan this can be found in gardens of Lahore Pakistan. This tree prefers to grow in the areas where the average annual rainfall is 600 to 1800 mm in humid subtropical climates with annual rainfall of 700-2000mm.

Uses :

The wood of the tree has a great value due to its high quality; it is used make furniture, wooden flooring, boats and many other things. Ancient Australians used the resin of the tree as cement. The resin is also used to make traditional medicine. The seeds are edible and eaten as raw or after cooked.