Arboreal Architecture

Araucaria Araucana

This "hairy seed" is the male cone of Araucaria Araucana or the Monkey Puzzle Tree. Because of the prevalence of similar species in ancient prehistory, the tree is sometimes called an animate fossil. Its conservation status was changed to Endangered in 2013 due to the extensive logging, forest fires, and grazing.

The seed of Araucaria Araucana is dispersed by parakeet species or rodents like the long-haired grass mouse, who buries the seeds whole in locations favourable for seed germination.

The seeds inside the "hairy structure" are edible and are harvested by indigenous peoples in Argentina and Chile. The tree is considered as a potential food crop as it thrives in climates with cool oceanic summers, e.g., western Scotland, where other nut crops do not grow well. A group of six female trees with one male for pollination could yield several thousand seeds per year. Since the cones drop, harvesting is easy. The tree, however, does not yield seeds until it is around 30 to 40 years old, which discourages investment in planting orchards; once established, individuals can achieve ages beyond 1,000 years.

Araucaria araucana, commonly known as the monkey puzzle tree, is a prehistoric conifer native to South America, especially Chile and Argentina. It's famous for its distinctive, spiky appearance and ancient lineage, dating back to the age of the dinosaurs.

Scientific Classification

  • Family: Araucariaceae

  • Genus: Araucaria

  • Species: A. araucana

  • Common Names: Monkey puzzle tree, Chilean pine (not a true pine)

Native Range and Habitat

  • Native to: Central and southern Chile and southwestern Argentina

  • Altitude: Grows at elevations of 600–1,800 meters

  • Found on volcanic slopes and in temperate rainforests

  • Prefers cool, wet climates with well-drained volcanic soils

Botanical Description

  • Height: Up to 30–50 meters (98–164 ft); some older individuals reach 60+ meters

  • Lifespan: Can exceed 1,000 years

  • Leaves: Thick, tough, triangular, and very sharp — persist for 10–15 years

  • Branches: Grow in whorls, giving the tree a symmetrical, spiky appearance

  • Bark: Dark, scaly, and deeply ridged

Reproduction

  • Dioecious: Male and female cones typically grow on separate trees

  • Female cones: Large (up to 20 cm), produce edible seeds known as piñones

  • Pollination: Wind-pollinated; cones take about 2–3 years to mature

Ecological and Cultural Importance

Ecology

  • Key component of temperate Andean forests

  • Provides habitat for endemic species like the Austral parakeet and Andean deer (huemul)

  • Resistant to fire and snow due to thick bark and tough leaves

Cultural Significance

  • Sacred to the Mapuche people, who call it "Pehuén"

  • Seeds (piñones) are a traditional and important food source

  • Ancient trees are sometimes protected by Indigenous communities

Conservation Status

  • IUCN Status: 🟠 Endangered

  • Threats include: Logging, Overharvesting of seeds, Fire, Climate change

  • Protected in many areas of Chile and Argentina; logging is now restricted

Cultivation

  • Popular as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, especially in temperate climates

  • Grows slowly but lives a very long time

  • Hardy down to –20°C (–4°F), but does not tolerate hot, humid climates

  • Requires: Well-drained soil, Full sun, Space to accommodate its broad, symmetrical crown

Why "Monkey Puzzle"?

  • The name arose in the 19th century when someone remarked that the tree’s spiky branches would be a "puzzle for a monkey to climb" — despite monkeys not being native to its range.