Araucaria

araucaria

[‚ar‚ō′kä·rē·ə]

(botany)

A primitive conifer of the genus Araucaria with broad leathery leaves, large cones, and edible seeds that is indigenous to South America and Australia.

Araucaria

 

a genus of coniferous trees of the family Araucariaceae. Araucaria trees are tall (up to 50–60 and even 90 m) and have flat needles. The cones are of two types—that is, rounded (female) with a diameter of up to 20 cm and elongated (male), up to 15–20 cm long. There are about 18 species in Australia and on the islands of New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Norfolk and two species in America. The seeds are for the most part edible. The wood of the araucaria is used as building material and for various articles. Some species (A. brasiliana, A. araucana, and others) are grown for decoration on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and the Southern Crimean Shore and also are grown as houseplants and in greenhouses (A. excelsa, A. bidwilli, and others).

REFERENCE

Takhtadzhian, A. L. Vysshie rasteniia, vol. 1. Moscow-Leningrad, 1956.