La Araucaria bidwillii, popularly known as the bunya pine or Bidwill's araucaria, It is one of the most fascinating and iconic tree species in the plant world. Native to eastern Australia, especially the Queensland region, this conifer stands out both for its imposing presence and for the cultural, ecological, and utilitarian value it has held for Aboriginal peoples since ancient times. If you have the opportunity to plant this unique tree in your garden or surroundings, you will undoubtedly add a truly unique specimen to your botanical collection.
Origins, history and etymology
Araucaria bidwillii is endemic to the mountainous and forested areas of Queensland, Australia.There are highly localized populations in places like the Bunya Mountains, the Jimna area, and Mount Lewis. These isolated and genetically diverse areas harbor what remains of the tree's original distribution, which was previously reduced by climate change, continental desiccation, and limitations in the dispersal of its large seeds.
The generic name "Araucaria" has a geographical origin, referring to the Chilean province of Arauco, where the species grows Araucaria araucanaThe epithet "bidwillii" honors John Carne Bidwill, a British botanist and explorer who helped spread this species to botanical gardens around the world. The common name "bunya-bunya" derives from the traditional name used by Aboriginal Australians.
Botanical description and morphology
- Size and bearing: An evergreen tree that can reach 30 to 50 meters in height, although specimens between 30 and 40 meters are more common. The trunk is columnar, very thick, straight, and generally free of branches in a wide lower segment. Its crown begins pyramidal in shape when young, becoming more open and rounded as it matures. The upper branches grow upward, the central branches grow horizontally, and the lower branches tend to lean downward.
- Cortex: Thick, rough, and scaly, dark brown or grayish in color, often with prominent bumps, exfoliating into small horizontal plates and revealing prominent marks of fallen branches.
- Sheets: It has two types of leaves depending on age: the juveniles are lanceolate, between 2 and 5 cm long, bright green, smooth and arranged in a spiral, while the adult ones, arranged radially on the twigs, acquire a leathery texture, very hard and sharp, maintaining the shiny dark green color.
A unique feature of the Araucaria bidwillii It is the absence of a prominent midrib in its leaves, something that distinguishes it from many other large trees. Mature leaves tend to overlap, forming a compact rosette-like appearance around the twigs.
The trees can be dioecious or occasionally monoecious. Their flowers are grouped in cones (strobili): the male flowers, elongated and up to 20 cm long, are solitary and located at the ends of lateral shoots; the female flowers, much larger and subglobose, reach up to 30 cm in diameter and can weigh up to 10 kg.
Development, germination and life cycle
The germination of Araucaria bidwillii is notoriously slow and peculiar. While other plants can germinate in just weeks, this species can take from three months to a year for its seeds to produce their first roots. The reason for this is cryptogeal germination: the seed develops an underground tuber from which an aerial shoot emerges only when external conditions are optimal, possibly as an adaptive mechanism to overcome adverse periods or avoid the frequent fires in its Australian habitat.
In nature, various animals, such as marsupials (macropods) and possums, collaborate in seed dispersal and storage. Some studies have documented how these species transport or store pine nuts at a distance from the parent tree, thereby increasing the chances of successful reproduction.
Once established, growth is relatively slow in the first few years. The root system develops deeply, and the young leaves remain clustered in a rosette until the first true branching occurs. Over the years, the tree becomes more resistant to cold and can be grown in temperate regions and even in areas where temperatures can drop to zero degrees.
Fruits, seeds and dangers
The female cones or fruits of the Araucaria bidwillii are one of its great attractions and peculiarities. These dark green fruits are large, globose cones measuring 20 to 35 cm in diameter and weighing up to 10 kg. Each fruit contains 50 to 100 large, edible seeds (4 to 7 cm), similar to pine nuts.
Fruit ripening can take up to three years. When ripe, the cones disintegrate, releasing the seeds into the soil. Due to their size and weight, accidentally dropping a ripe pine cone can be dangerous, potentially causing serious injury if it hits people or objects. Therefore, It is advisable to avoid placing these trees in areas of frequent traffic. under tall branches laden with fruit.
Habitat, adaptability and distribution
La Araucaria bidwillii It thrives in temperate climates, although its adaptation is surprisingly versatile. It prefers fertile, deep, medium-draining soils with a certain amount of humidity. However, it can grow in both dry soils and coastal regions and tolerates moderate periods of drought once well established.
- Current distribution: Restricted to small scattered areas in Queensland, Australia, with protected populations in reserves and national parks.
- Ornamental capacity: Its majestic appearance and exotic shape have made it popular as an ornamental species in parks and gardens around the world, especially in areas with mild climates.
In several cities around the world, such as Cadiz and Melbourne, there are notable examples that grace iconic parks and avenues.
Traditional and current uses of Araucaria bidwillii
- Food: Bunya seeds, or pine nuts, are edible and highly valued by Aboriginal Australians. They can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, or ground into a paste to make bread and other foods. The tree enjoys sacred status in Aboriginal culture, with festivals and gatherings held to collect and share pine nuts for generations.
- Forestry and cabinetmaking: The creamy wood of the Araucaria bidwillii is prized for its flexibility and workability, making it ideal for fine carpentry, moldings, matchboxes, light boats, and brooms.
- Ornamental: Thanks to its extraordinary presence, it is planted singly in botanical gardens and as a monumental tree in parks.
- Ecological value: Its large fruits are a food source for local wildlife, while its dense canopy and deep roots contribute to ecosystem stability and soil conservation.
Curiosities and precautions
- Longevity: It is a very long-lived tree, capable of living for several centuries under suitable conditions.
- Danger of falling cones: Ripe fruits can be dangerous in traffic areas due to their size and weight.
- Climate resistance: Once established, it tolerates moderate cold and even mild frost, being viable in temperate to subtropical regions on various continents.
- Culture Significance: Bidwill's monkey puzzle tree is one of the last representatives of its evolutionary lineage, connecting botany, culture, and ecology in a unique way.
The Araucaria bidwillii is much more than an exotic tree; It represents the union of nature and tradition, beauty and utility, evolution and culture. Its imposing presence, its ancient uses, and the mystery of its slow reproduction make it a living treasure worthy of admiration and preservation.
