The Genus Araucaria An Illustrated Overview of its Species

About this book

Language: English, also available in German

In the present work the phylogeny of conifers regarding the genus Araucaria is briefly addressed and followed by a part about the geographic range of living Araucaria species. A geological timetable and an overview of the continental drift of the prehistoric Gondwana-continent in geological times completes the section.

With the help of a world map the fossil occurrences and the geographic range of living Araucaria species is illustrated.

Next, the comparative description of the Araucaria species is highlighted with the help of a previously unknown and unpublished photo selection, which hopefully might contribute to a better understanding of the genus. The characteristics of the genus and their grouping by sections are quoted from Golte (1993). The genera Agathis and Wollemia which belong to the family Araucariaceae are outlined with text and some illustrations.

Thereafter, all 19 Araucaria species of the world are described in a small text, followed by a distribution map, a brief botanical description, a front image and several special photos. Each species is accompanied by a photo of a sample of understory plants typical for the habitat. Next synonyms and native and, if present, foreign-language names are mentioned. Because New Caledonia is francophone there are only universal terms like "Pin colonnaire" or “Pin de montagne” for all Araucaria species. Terms in English are only known for Araucaria columnaris, German terms are artificial and neither useful nor correct. To avoid irritation these terms are not used. The same is true for the Kanak-clan terms, because there are more than 10 names for only one species.

The species descriptions are followed by some completing remarks about sowing, planting and breeding and a comparison of species regarding plants, seeds and timber features. Furthermore, several explorers and researchers are presented who are acknowledged with Araucaria naming.

Contents

Preamble  11

Introduction  15
Phylogeny  15
Range  22
Endangerment and Exploitation  24

Taxonomy 28
Family Araucariaceae, Genus Araucaria  28
Famille Araucariaceae, Genus Agathis  29
Famille Araucariaceae, Genus Wollemia  33

The Araucaria Species  35
Section Eutacta  36
Araucaria bernieri  37
Araucaria biramulata  45
Araucaria columnaris  53
Araucaria humboldtensis  67
Araucaria laubenfelsii  75
Araucaria luxurians  85
Araucaria montana  93
Araucaria muelleri  101
Araucaria nemorosa  111
Araucaria rulei  121
Araucaria schmidii  131
Araucaria scopulorum  139
Araucaria subulata  149
Araucaria cunninghamii  157
Araucaria heterophylla  167
Sektion Intermedia  178
Araucaria hunsteinii  179
Sektion Bunya  188
Araucaria bidwillii  189
Sektion Columbea  198
Araucaria angustifolia  199
Araucaria araucana  211

Further information  223
Araucaria – Explorers and Researchers  223
Araucaria – Distinctive Features – Examples  227
Araucaria – Seeds – Examples  229
Araucaria – Seedlings and young plants  231
Araucaria – Wood Characteristics – an Example  234
Araucaria – Sowing and Planting of Araucaria in Central Europe  235
On the way to the last Araucaria-forests  239
IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources  240
Bibliography  241

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