Араукарія

Araucaria is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Araucariaceae. Today they are largely confined to the Southern Hemisphere. The genus includes the monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) and the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla). Many species are called pine, although they are only distantly related to true pines, in the genus Pinus.

Distribution and Habitat

Members of the genus are found in forest and maquis shrubland, with an affinity for exposed sites. By far the greatest diversity exists in New Caledonia. Many New Caledonian species have been severely affected by nickel mining and are now considered threatened or endangered. The Norfolk Island pine is endemic to Norfolk Island and is not a true pine.

Wood and Uses

The wood of the monkey-puzzle tree was once valued for its long, straight trunk, but it is now rarely used. Its durability and resistance to decay made it excellent for wood products such as veneers and plywood. The timber of the Norfolk Island pine is good for woodturning. Together with the similar Cook pine, it is extensively used by Hawaiian artisans. The edible large seeds of A. araucana, A. angustifolia and A. bidwillii are eaten as food, particularly among the Mapuche people of Chile and southwest Argentina.

Oils and Chemistry

The oil sold as araucaria comes from Neocallitropsis pancheri of New Caledonia. That tree is now called Callitris pancheri and belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae. Its foliage is superficially similar to some species of Araucaria, though they are only very distantly related. The essential oil of the oleogum resin of Araucaria heterophylla was analysed, and 24 major components were identified, representing 99.89% of the total oil. The major ones were caryophyllene oxide (14.8%), (+)-sabinene (12.07%), D-limonene (11.22%) and caryophyllene (10.36%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant non-oxygenated components, at 32.93%. Previously reported literature on the oil gave a different picture, with α-pinene (44.88%) the most abundant component, followed by germacrene-D (10.25%).

Conservation

The monkey-puzzle tree is endangered, and logging, long a major threat, was finally banned in 1990. The IUCN classifies the Norfolk Island pine as vulnerable.

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