Araucariacea Plants in this family include Araucaria, Agathis and Wollamia. Araucaria were first planted in the Gardens in the mid 1800's. Araucariaceae are unique to the Southern hemisphere and are a living link to our ancient past. Araucariaceae, notably A. cunninghamii, A. heterophylla and Agathis robusta, dominates the skyline and perimeters of the Gardens. Originally planted as emergent (or upright) features, today Araucariaceae can be viewed from almost all areas of the Gardens. The Gardens Nursery continues to source and propagate new and interesting Aruacariaceae for future plantings in the Gardens. Key Plants
Curator Notes
History
Key Plants
| Agathis robusta | | | Araucaria bidwillii | Araucaria bidwillii is native to south-east Queensland. It is a tall tree, reaching a height of 50 meters and produces cones that are 20-35 cm in diameter and can weigh up to 20kg. The large (3-4 cm) seeds are edible and a source of Aboriginal food. Leaves of mature trees are glossy, dark-green, triangular in shape and are prickly. | | Araucaria columnaris | Araucaria columnaris is native to New Caledonia. | | Araucaria cunninghamii | Araucaria cunninghamii is native to coastal rain forests of eastern Australia and New Guinea. These evergreen trees can live to 450 years and reach a height of 60 meters. The bark is rough and splits naturally. It produces cones that are 8-10 cm long and 6-8 cm diameter and take about 18 months to mature. The seeds are nut-like and edible. | | Araucaria heterophylla | | | Wollemia nobilis | |
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Curator Notes -
Araucaria bidwillii drops its cones that can weigh up to 20kg each. Araucariaceae can withstand periods of dry weather, but require ample watering whilst they are establishing.
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History
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In 1851, John Dallachy, the second curator of the Gardens planted the first araucaria species, Araucaria cunninghamii and A. heterophylla close to the current tea rooms site. A pair of Araucaria heterophylla were planted either side of the F Gate entrance c 1880. Many new araucariaceae species have been planted in the Gardens as part of the RBG's ongoing tree replacement program.
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| Image 
Best Viewed |
Araucariaceae in the Gardens are generally large evergreen trees that are best viewed at any time of the year.
| Location |
Araucarias were originally planted on crests in the landscape to enable them to be viewed from all points of the Gardens.
A pinetum was established in the 1800's on the Hopetoun and Huntingfield Lawns where many original Araucariaceae still display their noble form. Including Norfolk Island and Moreton Bay araucarias.
Huntingfield Lawn - Alexandra Avenue near G gate
Hopetoun Lawn - Alexandra Avenue near H gate
Visitor Map
| Grow | | | Araucaria cunninghamii | | Araucaria cunninghamii is native to coastal rain forests of eastern Australia and New Guinea. These evergreen trees can live to 450 years and reach a height of 60 meters. The bark is rough and splits naturally. It produces cones that are 8-10 cm long and 6-8 cm diameter and take about 18 months to mature. The seeds are nut-like and edible. | Araucaria heterophylla | Agathis robusta | Note: Each of these tree species will attain a height in excess of 20m in height. |
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Find out what plants grow at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
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