Araucaria Araucana: The Monkey Puzzle Tree

The Monkey Puzzle Tree, also known as Araucaria araucana, is a unique and captivating plant native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. This fascinating tree has an otherworldly appearance, with its distinct branch patterns and reptilian-looking bark. It is an evergreen conifer, belonging to the ancient Araucariaceae family, which dates back to the Jurassic period. The Monkey Puzzle Tree can be found in mountainous regions, particularly in the Andes, thriving in cool climates and volcanic, well-drained soils. It is a slow-growing tree, reaching heights of up to 40 meters (130 feet) and living for over 1,000 years. The tree derived its unique name when it was introduced to the British Isles in the early 1800s – a visiting lawyer, upon observing the tree, remarked that it would be a puzzle for a monkey to climb due to its sharp and spiky foliage. The tree has a striking appearance with its unusual limb arrangement, spreading horizontally in whorled layers from the trunk. It is well-adapted to harsh environments, with thick, tough, and sharp triangular leaves that can persist on the tree for up to 24 years. The Monkey Puzzle Tree is dioecious, which means that it has separate male and female plants. The male tree produces cylindrical cones filled with pollen, while the female tree bears large, dinosaur egg-like cones containing edible seeds, known as "piñones" in Chile. Besides its peculiar visual allure, the Monkey Puzzle Tree holds cultural and ecological significance. It is considered a sacred tree in the spiritual beliefs of the indigenous Mapuche people in Chile, who call it "pehuén." Traditionally, the seeds were an essential food source, and the tree's wood was utilized for constructing tools and dwellings. Some Mapuche communities still have "pehuén-centric" lifestyles, celebrating the "Ngillatun" ceremony that honors the ancestral relationship between their people and the tree. The Araucaria araucana is currently listed as an endangered species in its native habitat, mainly due to habitat loss and overharvesting. Nevertheless, several conservation efforts are underway to preserve and protect this mesmerizing living fossil that has graced the earth for millions of years.