Norfolk Island Pine

Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.) Franco

aur-ah-CARE-ee-ah het-err-OFF-all-ah

Conifers - Araucariaceae

Explanation of name: The generic name comes from Araucanos, a South American tribe inhabiting the area where the genus was first discovered.  Heterophylla refers to variation in the leaves.

Synonym: Araucaria excelsa R. Br.

Natural range: Norfolk Island (Pacific Ocean)

Recognition: Potentially very large conifer having short needles distributed evenly around the stem. The needles can be thin and wirelike and under ½” inch long, or narrowly triangular and lying flat against the stem, then about ½” long. The female cones are globe-shaped and woody, about the size of a tennis ball, shattering on the tree. The male cones resemble cigarettes in shape and size.

            The Bunya-Bunya Tree, or Bunya Pine is the Australian Araucaria bidwillii Hooker, having much larger leaves than A. heterophylla. The Monkey Puzzle Tree is the South American Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch, likewise having leaves much larger than A. heterophylla. The Bunya Bunya and Monkey Puzzle Tree are similar in having large, dagger-shaped sharp leaves and branches in whorls. Both have variable leaves in terms of sizes and arrangements, usually >1” or more long (vs. <1/2” in A. heterophylla). Araucaria araucana has leaves with broad bases and with stomata on both sides, in contrast with A. bidwellii where the leaves are narrowed basally and the stomata are restricted to underside (abaxial side). In young A. bidwellii the leaves are in two rows (vs. all around the stem in A. araucana); this distinction breaks down with age or with growth in full sun.

Landscape uses: A once-popular landscaping tree with very broad tolerances in soil, light, and water, vaguely resembling a true pine in form but having much shorter needles. Tough and forgiving but prone to becoming ugly from storm damage. Popular as a container and indoor plant when young, preferring high humidity. Sold as a living Christmas tree.