Araucaria araucana
Monkey Puzzle Tree
Volcanic slopes and mountain ranges of south-central Chile and adjacent Argentina, 2,300–5,900 ft elevationLearn more
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
7 - 9These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancehardy
Overview
Araucaria araucana is a very large, long-lived, evergreen coniferous tree in the ancient family Araucariaceae — a family with fossil records extending to the Jurassic period — native to the volcanic slopes and mountain ranges of south-central Chile and adjacent Argentina at 2,300–5,900 feet (700–1,800 m) elevation. The specific epithet araucana refers to the Araucania region of Chile, home of the Mapuche people who depended on the large edible seeds as a staple food. Trees grow 50–80 feet (15–24 m) tall in cultivation, to 130 feet (40 m) in the wild, developing a strikingly distinctive silhouette: pyramidal and symmetrical in youth, evolving in maturity to a flat-topped, umbrella-like crown on a tall bare trunk with a few horizontal branch whorls. The foliage is unlike any other cultivated conifer: stiff, broadly triangular, sharp-spined, scale-like leaves 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long overlap in a dense spiral completely clothing every branch and the upper trunk. DIOECIOUS: female trees bear large, barrel-shaped, pineapple-like cones 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) that take 2–3 years to mature and contain 100–200 large, edible seeds (piñones) 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long. Threatened in the wild due to logging and habitat loss. Non-toxic; seeds edible.
Native Range
Native to volcanic slopes and mountain ranges of south-central Chile and adjacent Argentina at 2,300–5,900 feet (700–1,800 m) elevation.Suggested Uses
Araucaria araucana is planted as a dramatic specimen tree in large Pacific Northwest and mild-climate garden settings where its extraordinary prehistoric silhouette and unique armored foliage can be fully appreciated. The Pacific Northwest — particularly the west side of the Cascades — is one of the best regions in the world outside its native range for cultivation. Of exceptional educational value: the Jurassic-era Araucariaceae family, DIOECIOUS reproduction, the large edible seeds (piñones) and their importance to the Mapuche people, threatened wild status, and the wholly unique foliage architecture make this one of the most botanically significant trees in any collection.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height50' - 80'
Width/Spread20' - 30'
Reaches mature size in approximately 50 years
Bloom Information
DIOECIOUS — male and female reproductive structures on separate trees. Male pollen cones are cylindrical, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, releasing pollen in late spring (May–June). Female trees bear large, barrel-shaped, pineapple-like cones 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) in diameter that take 2–3 years to mature, ripening in February–March of the third year. Each mature cone contains 100–200 large, edible, chestnut-like seeds (piñones) 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long that were a primary food staple for the Mapuche people of Chile.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
DIOECIOUS; female: BARREL-SHAPED PINEAPPLE-LIKE CONES 4–8 inches; 100–200 EDIBLE SEEDS (piñones) 1–1.5 inches; 2–3 years to mature; ripen Feb–Mar; Mapuche staple food; wear gloves — sharp spinesFoliage Description
dark green; STIFF BROADLY TRIANGULAR SHARP-SPINED SCALE-LIKE LEAVES 1–2 inches in dense overlapping spiral completely covering branches and upper trunk — unique among cultivated conifers; araucana = 'from Araucania Chile'; DIOECIOUS; Jurassic-era family; threatens in wildGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight