Brazilian-pine, Candelabra-tree
Araucaria angustifolia

Family: Araucariaceae

What it is like

A large evergreen tree. It can be 30 m high. It has a bare trunk and wide flat crown. The leaves are long, flat and overlapping. They form two rows on the small branches. The leaves are 5 cm long and have a sharp point. The seed cones are 15 cm long. The tips of the scales curve back. The seeds are large. They can be 5 cm long.

There are 19 Araucaria species. There are 13 species in New Caledonia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Brazil it grows up to 500-900 m altitude. In Indonesia it grows between 500-1,800 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Arboretum Tasmania. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malawi, Paraguay, Peru, SE Asia, South America, Tasmania, Uruguay, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The large kernels need to be boiled for some hours then the outer shells peeled off. The gum is also eaten.

The seeds are sold in markets. They are a popular snack. In Brazil 3,400 tonnes of seeds are collected each year.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum, nuts, fruit

How it is grown

The seeds are harvested from the ground after they fall. They are best sown fresh. Seeds sprout in a few days.

It grows rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Cori, Curi, Curiuva, Parana-pine, Pinhao, Pinheiro-do-parano, Pinheiro, Pinho, Pinho-brasileiro, Pinheiro-brasileiro, Pinheiro-sao-jose, Pinheiro-macaco, Pinheiro-caiova, Pinheiro-das-missoes, Pino araucaria, Pino parana, Pohon arukaria brasil

Synonyms

Araucaria brasiliana A. Rich.; Columbea angustifolia Bertol.; Araucaria brasiliensis A. Rich;