Wollemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wollemia |
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| Young specimen in a botanical garden protected from theft by a steel cage | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Wollemia
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| Species: |
nobilis
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The Wollemia is a special type of coniferous tree. Conifers are trees that usually have needles and cones, like pine trees. The Wollemia belongs to a plant family called Araucariaceae. This tree is often called a "living fossil" because it was thought to be extinct for millions of years. Scientists believed it had disappeared about 200 million years ago, but then it was found alive in 1994!
The specific type of Wollemia tree, Wollemia nobilis, was discovered in 1994. It was found in a cool, wet rainforest area within the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales, Australia. This secret spot was hidden deep inside narrow, rocky gorges near a town called Lithgow. This area is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northwest of Sydney.
Even though it's often called the Wollemi Pine, it's not a true pine tree. Real pine trees belong to the genus Pinus. The Wollemi Pine is actually more closely related to other ancient trees like Agathis and Araucaria, all part of the Araucariaceae family.
Why is the Wollemi Pine so Rare?
The Wollemi Pine is incredibly rare. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species. This means it faces a very high risk of disappearing forever in the wild.
Protecting the Wollemi Pine
Because it is so rare, the Wollemi Pine is legally protected in Australia. A special plan has been created to help manage and protect the wild trees. The main goal of this plan is to make sure this amazing species can survive and thrive for a very long time.
Images for kids
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Bark of a Wollemi Pine
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A 4-year-old potted Wollemi Pine grown from a cutting
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Male and female cones of the Wollemi Pine
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A young Wollemi Pine grown in a nursery
