Araucaria bidwillii
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Araucaria bidwillii | status = Conservation status: Secure | image = Small_bunyapine.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Pinophyta | classis = Pinopsida | ordo = Pinales | familia = Araucariaceae | genus = Araucaria | species = A. bidwillii | binomial = Araucaria bidwillii | binomial_authority = (Molina) K. Koch }}
Araucaria bidwillii is a species in the genus Araucaria, family Araucariaceae. It is a large evergreen coniferous tree, native to eastern Australia in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales. It is an evergreen tree that reaches heights of 30-40 m. The cones are 20-35 cm diameter, and disintegrate when mature to release the large (3-4 cm) seeds. The seeds are edible, similar to pine nuts, and are an important food resource for Australian Aborigine people; groves of the trees are often under particular tribal ownership. They are eaten both raw and cooked.
The vernacular name is Bunya or Bunya-bunya, from the native Australian Aborigine name for the tree; it is also often called Bunya Pine (though this is inaccurate as it is not a pine), or a "Bunya Nut" tree.
Cultivation
Image:Araucaria bidwillii cultivation.jpg Bunya nuts are slow to germinate. A set of 12 seeds sown in Melbourne took on average about six months to germinate (with the first germinating in 3 months) and only developed roots until 1 year. The first leaves form a rosette and are dark brown. The leaves only turn green once the first stem branch occurs. Unlike the mature leaves, the young leaves are relatively soft. As the leaves age they become very hard and sharp.
Once estabilished Bunyas are quite hardy and can be grown as far south as Hobart.