Planting an Araucaria is an act of faith and longevity. If you plant a Monkey Puzzle tree, you are landscaping for your grandchildren's grandchildren. These trees can live for 1,000 years and grow over 100 feet tall.
The Araucariaceae lineage dates back to the Triassic period (around 200-250 million years ago), but Araucaria -like fossils became prominent during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. During this time, the continents were united as Gondwana, and araucarias formed vast forests in high-latitude regions, including Antarctica. araucaria
There are approximately 20 extant species of Araucaria. They are evergreen, dioecious (meaning male and female cones grow on separate trees), and characterized by their unusual leaf forms—ranging from awl-shaped (needle-sharp) to broad and triangular. The most famous species include the ( Araucaria araucana ), the Norfolk Island Pine ( Araucaria heterophylla ), and the Bunya Pine ( Araucaria bidwillii ). Planting an Araucaria is an act of faith and longevity
If you want to bring a piece of prehistory to your garden or living room, the is your best bet for indoors. They love bright, indirect light and high humidity. If you live in a temperate climate (USDA zones 7-10), the Monkey Puzzle can make a stunning, albeit slow-growing, focal point in a landscape. The Araucariaceae lineage dates back to the Triassic
Despite their ancient resilience, many Araucaria species are currently under threat. The IUCN Red List classifies several species, including the Paraná Pine and the Monkey Puzzle, as Endangered or Critically Endangered. The primary threats include: