158 A HANDBOOK OF CONIFER^E 



It is confined to Norfolk Island, where it is perhaps the 

 most characteristic tree. 



Owing to the limited supply, very little value is attached to 

 the timber. The wood is, however, equal in quality to that of 

 other Araucarias and the tree has been planted rather extensively 

 in S. Africa and other sub -tropical countries, where it may become 

 of some importance as a timber-producer. It is very popular 

 as an ornamental tree in the Mediterranean region, the Azores 

 and other countries with a similar climate. It is not hardy in 

 Britain but is used extensively as a pot plant for greenhouse 

 and room decoration. The plant or its varieties is also grown 

 in large numbers in Belgium and other European countries. 

 For pot culture it is usually increased by cuttings made from 

 erect shoots from cut-back plants. Little artificial heat is 

 required, but they should not be exposed to frosts. Trees are 

 occasionally seen out of doors in Cornish gardens, A. excelsa 

 was introduced to England in 1793, 

 Flore des Serves, 2304-5 (1877). 



Araucaria imbricata, Pav. 

 Chile Pine. 



Monkey Puzzle. 



A tree 50-150 ft. high, with a trunk 3-5 ft. in diameter, 

 showing little taper. Branches horizontal, usually in distinct 

 whorls, lateral branchlets horizontal or pendulous, deciduous 

 after several years. Bark about | in. thick, resinous. Leaves 

 of one kind, spirally arranged, green for 10-15 years, but often 

 remaining for many years longer after turning brown, crowded, 

 overlapping, leathery, dark green, glossy, margins thickened, 

 apex a sharp prickle, the surfaces marked with longitudinal 

 lines, stomata on both surfaces. Male and female flowers usually 

 on different trees, occasionally on the same tree. Male catkins, 

 axillary, solitary or in clusters, erect, 3-5 in. long, about 2 in. 

 wide, outline irregular with the long, sharp-pointed, and recurved 

 appendages of the scales, often persisting for several years after 

 shedding their pollen. Cones globular, brown when ripe, 4-7 

 in. long, 3-5 in. in diameter, taking 2-3 years to mature, falling 

 to pieces as soon as the seeds are ripe. Seeds 1-1 1 in, long, 

 about ^ in. thick, bright brown, wingless, or with ridges on the 

 edges suggesting rudimentary wings, each one bearing a long, 

 triangular, stiff, recurved appendage at the apex. 



Var. aurea. 

 Leaves golden in colour. 



The Chile pine may be identified by its stiff, rigid, spirally 

 arranged leaves. 



It is found in Chile, Tierra del Fuego, and N. Patagonia. 



