Monkey Puzzle Tree

(Araucaria araucana)

Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana)

Kurt Stüber [1]

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Kurt Stüber [1]

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Kurt Stüber [1] | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Uploader: Topjabot | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Araucaria_araucana0.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=''Arbutus andrachne'' Botanico dell'Università di Genova]]}} |Source ={{own}} |Author =[[User:Hectonichus|Hectonichus]] |Date =2012-06-15 |Permission = |other_versions = }} ... |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Araucaria araucana, commonly known as Monkey Puzzle Tree, is an evergreen tree that can reach diameters of 1–1.5 meters (3–5 feet) and heights of 30–40 meters (100–130 feet). This species is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina, where it thrives in the Andean mountain range’s temperate rainforests. The Monkey Puzzle Tree is characterized by its unique, spirally arranged branches covered with tough, scale-like leaves, giving it a prehistoric, reptilian appearance. The tree is dioecious, with male and female cones on separate trees; the female cones are particularly large and can take up to two years to mature.

The Monkey Puzzle Tree is appreciated for its striking, architectural form and is often used as a focal point in gardens and parks. It is also valued for its longevity and ability to withstand urban pollution, making it suitable for urban planting. The tree’s preference for temperate climates with abundant rainfall and its frost tolerance down to about −20 °C (−4 °F) should be considered when planting. It requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil, ideally volcanic in origin, but is adaptable to various soil types as long as drainage is good. In cultivation, it does best with consistent moisture and can tolerate full sun to part shade conditions. While generally disease-resistant, the Monkey Puzzle Tree can be susceptible to Phytophthora root rot in poorly drained soils and may be affected by scale insects and aphids.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 50-80 feet
Width: 20-30 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Salt Tolerant

Natural Habitat

Native to the temperate rainforests of the Andean mountain range in central and southern Chile and western Argentina

Other Names

Common Names: Araucaria, Chilean Pine, Monkey Puzzle, Monkey Puzzle Tree, Monkey-Puzzle, Monkey-Puzzle-Tree, Chilean-Pine, Andentanne, Chile-Tanne, Chilenische Araukarie

Scientific Names: , Araucaria araucana, Araucaria imbricata, Araucaria chilensis, Columbea imbricata, Abies araucana, Araucaria araucana f. virgata, Araucaria araucana subsp. conguillioensis, Araucaria araucana var. angustifolia, Araucaria araucana var. aurea

GBIF Accepted Name: Araucaria araucana (Molina) K.Koch