Araucaria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AraucariaTemporal range: Jurassic - recent
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Araucariaceae
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Araucaria
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Araucaria are a group of amazing evergreen trees. They belong to the conifer family, which means they have needles or scales instead of broad leaves. These trees are part of the Araucariaceae family.
There are 19 different types, or species, of Araucaria trees. You can find them in different parts of the world. Many are in New Caledonia, where 13 species live only there. Others are in Norfolk Island, eastern Australia, New Guinea, Argentina, Chile, and southern Brazil.
These trees are like "living fossils" because they have been around for a very long time. Their history goes back to the Mesozoic era, which was the time of the dinosaurs! Today, the places where they grow are smaller than they used to be. They often live in forests and shrublands, especially in open, windy areas.
Fossils show that Araucaria trees also grew in the northern part of the world. This was until the end of the Cretaceous period. New Caledonia has the most types of Araucaria. This is because the island has been separate and stable for a very long time.
Contents
What do Araucaria Trees Look Like?
Araucaria trees are usually very large. They have a strong, straight trunk that can grow 30 to 80 meters (about 100 to 260 feet) tall. Their branches spread out sideways in circles around the trunk.
The branches are covered with tough, leathery, or needle-like leaves. Some species have narrow, spear-shaped leaves that barely overlap. Other types have wide, flat leaves that overlap a lot.
Ancient History: The Fossil Record
The whole group of Araucaria trees was very common during the Jurassic period. This was millions of years ago! One living species, Araucaria araucana, is often called the monkey-puzzle tree.
Scientists who study ancient plants often use this name for the whole Araucariaceae family. The leaves of these trees, like the ones in the picture, can live for a very long time. They stay on the tree for about 24 years! These leaves cover most of the tree, except for the oldest branches.
Images for kids
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Araucaria araucana with seed cones
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Petrified cone of Araucaria mirabilis from the Middle Jurassic of Argentina
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Three members of the genus growing together – left to right, A. columnaris, A. cunninghamii and A. bidwillii
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A. columnaris sapling with distinctive apical bud.
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Araucaria heterophylla leaves
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Petrified cone of Araucaria mirabilis from Patagonia, Argentina dating from the Jurassic Period (approx. 157 mya)
See also
In Spanish: Araucaria para niños
