Araucaria cunninghamia

Large Hoop Pine tree

Photograph copyright: oznativeplants - all rights reserved.

Young growth at base of large tree

Photograph copyright: oznativeplants - all rights reserved.

HOOP PINE FACTS

Common Name
Hoop Pine

Other Names
Moreton Bay Pine

Description
The Hoop Pine is a large rainforest conifer. The bark splits horizontally at regular intervals giving the common name, Hoop Pine. The juvenile leaves are different from the adult leaves - leaves on young trees are awl-shaped, 1-2 cm long, and scale-like on mature trees. The cones are oval and about 8-10 cm long. They disintegrate at maturity to release the nut-like edible seeds which are dispersed by the wind. Male and female cones are usually found on the same tree.

Height
to 60m

Habitat
coastal rainforest

Distribution
eastern Australia and in New Guinea

Classification

Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Araucariaceae
Genus:	Araucaria
Species:	cunninghamia
Common Name:	Hoop Pine

Relatives in same Genus
Araucaria bidwillii
Araucaria heterophylla