Bunya pine
Araucaria bidwillii

Family: Araucariaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It can be 50 m high. They spread to 10-20 m across. The branches radiate out in a symmetrical fashion. The lowest branches droop towards the ground. The leaves are simple and 2-6 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are oval and leathery. They are spiny at the tip. The fruit are large seed cones. They are up to 20-30 cm long by 15-20 cm wide and occur at the ends of twigs. These contain numerous seeds which are up to 5 cm long. The seeds are edible.

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

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to Queensland, Australia. They grow naturally in rainforest in Queensland, Australia. They can grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. It suits humid locations. They need a moist well drained soil. In Nepal they grow at 1200-1300 m altitude. It cannot tolerate frost. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Arboretum Tasmania. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Launceston City Park. In Yunnan. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Central America, China, East Africa, Europe, Fiji, Guatemala, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Tasmania, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The germinating seed produces an underground earth nut that has a coconut flavour and is eaten.

The fruit are popular in aboriginal communities.

Edible parts

Seeds, kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should only be half covered with soil. Plants can also be grown from cuttings of upright shoots of young plants. They can also be grown from suckers near the base.

Plants are slow growing. A cone can weigh 4 kg.

Its other names

Local names

Bunya-bunya, Kanre salla, Padetha-tinyu, Pohon arukaria bunya, Queensland pine

Synonyms

Araucaria bidwilliana Siebert & Voss; Columbea bidwillii (Hook.) Carriere;