Topic #10: Araucariaceae

• Along with Podocarpaceae and Cupressaceae are called the Three Southern Conifers
• Characteristics of Araucariaceae:

  • Stem erect and massive
  • Their bark is dark gray brown in color with horizontal ridges.
  • Single ovule in seed scales
  • Bract is adnate to scales.
  • Seed cones disintegrate when mature
  • Have endomycorrhizal roots
  • Their leaves are leathery, awl shaped or broad and flat
  • Mostly dioecious
  • Their female cones are globose while the male cones are smaller.
  • Narrow to broad cylindrical.
  • Young trees broadly pyramidal or conical but become umbrella-like as they mature.
• The Family Araucariaceae includes 3 genera: Agathis, Araucaria, and Wollemia
• Genus Araucaria

  • Single seed only in contrast to 2 seeds found in Pinus
• What Araucaria species is being shown in the picture?

  A) Araucaria columnaris

  
• What Araucaria species is being shown in the picture?

  A) Araucaria bidwillii

  
• What Araucaria species is being shown in the picture?

  A) Araucaria araucana

  
• Genus Wollemia

  • Wollemia is the oldest living genus, dates back to the time of dinosaurs.
• What Wollemia species is being shown in the picture?

  A) Wollemia nobilis

  
• What Agathis species is being shown in the picture?

  A) Agathis philippinensis