Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
bunya-bunya
Family Name:
Araucariaceae
Botanical Name:
Araucaria bidwillii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Araucaria bidwillii grows up to 150 feet high. Adult trunks are branchless for half the tree's height. The crown is dense and broadly rounded. Juvenile leaves are dark green, glossy, and sharply pointed at the tip. They are long and narrow and grow up to two inches long. As the tree reaches maturity, mature leaves are produced. These are smaller- about half an inch long, stiff, sharp to the touch, and arranged spirally along the branches. The female fruiting cones are very large (football sized) and each contains from 50 to 100 large seeds. The cones are usually formed once every three years and fall from the tree when ripe.
Compound:
Ara bid
Geographic Origin:
Australia
Ecozone Origin:
Australasia
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The genus name "Araucaria" refers to the province of Arauco in Chile, where other members of this genus are native. The species name is in honor of J.C. Bidwill (1815-1853), a botanical explorer. The fossilized trees of the Petrified Forest in Northern Arizona are close relatives to this plant.
Natural History of the UA Campus Arboretum Specimen: Professor Phil Ogden in Range Management donated the campus Bunya-Bunya after raising it as a house plant. It was initially installed in a site that provided afternoon shade, but not much in the way of fertile soil (a recent parking garage with little fertility). Still, the tree grew to over 10 feet tall over the course of 7 years. In 2006, the tree was moved to a more humid area on the south side of Yuma Dormitory in the historic part of campus. The turf surrounding the building provides some radiant heat. The trees receives afternoon shade.
Cultivation Notes:
Bunya nuts are slow to germinate. A set of 12 seeds sown in Melbourne took an average of about six months to germinate (with the first germinating in 3 months) and only developed roots after one year. The first leaves form a rosette and are dark brown. The leaves only turn green once the first stem branch occurs. Unlike the mature leaves, the young leaves are relatively soft. As the leaves age they become very hard and sharp. A potential problem for this species is iron chlorosis. Grows best in a rich, moist soil.
Ethnobotany:
The resinous wood is straight grained and easy to work. Therefore, it has become an important source of timber- especially for carpentry. The wood pulp is used for making paper. Its graceful form and distinctive leaves make this tree an important ornamental for frost-free locations. The seeds are edible and were a rich source of food for the Aborigines of south-east Queensland. During the "Bunya season" the Aborigines would temporarily set aside their tribal differences and gather in the mountains for great Bunya Nut Feasts. Seeds are edible. In the early stages, the tree can be a container plant until about 10-15 feet in height.
Height:
50 - 100 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
Citations:
1. Duffield, Mary Rose., and Warren D. Jones. Plants For Dry Climates - How To Select, Grow And Enjoy. Lane Publishing Company, 1992.
