Araucaria heterophylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Araucaria heterophylla |
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| Norfolk Island Pines, Norfolk Island | |
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A. heterophylla
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| Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.) Franco
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The Norfolk Island Pine (its scientific name is Araucaria heterophylla) is a type of conifer tree. Conifers are trees that usually have needles instead of leaves and produce cones, like pine trees. This special tree comes from Norfolk Island, a small island located in the South Pacific Ocean.
It is part of a very old family of trees called Araucaria. Most trees in this family are found on islands in the South Pacific, especially New Caledonia. The Norfolk Island Pine is currently listed as a vulnerable tree. This means it is in danger of disappearing if we do not work to protect it.
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Discovering the Norfolk Island Pine
The first European to see these unique trees was Captain James Cook. He explored the Pacific Ocean and landed on Norfolk Island in 1774. When he saw the tall, straight trees, he thought they would be perfect for making masts for ships. Masts are the tall poles on a ship that hold the sails.
Why the British Wanted These Trees
The British government was very interested in using these trees for their ships. In 1788, they sent people to live on Norfolk Island. The main reason for this settlement was to make sure these valuable trees would be available for the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy was the British navy, and they needed strong masts for their warships.
Images for kids
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Profile representation of an adult Araucaria heterophylla with its root system, Auckland-New Zealand, survey and hand drawing by Axel Aucouturier, 2019
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Young Norfolk Island pines
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Cones and foliage of Araucaria heterophylla
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Snow on Araucaria heterophylla
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Araucaria heterophylla foliage from a mature tree
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Araucaria on the Isles of Scilly, amongst the most northerly specimens growing outdoors
See also
In Spanish: Araucaria excelsa para niños
