Araucariaceae

Useful Information

How To Get There

These trees are scattered throughout the Gardens, both close to paths and centred in lawns.
Best Viewed

As evergreens, these trees are in full foliage all year round.
Accessibility

Trees can be easily viewed from the paths, and within the lawns.
Look Out For...

The seed cones of Araucaria bidwillii can be huge, but well hidden. Try spot them up in the higher branches!
Plant Census

Living Collections Plant Census

Araucariaceae are an ancient lineage of conifers, and some of the first exotic trees planted in Melbourne Gardens. With well over a century of growth, these giants define the skyline and silhouette of the Gardens, and bring to this modern landscape a touch of the prehistoric. With such characters as the famous Wollemi pine and the notorious Bunya Bunya pine, these trees are a marvel to behold.

This Collection is important as it:

Displays the unique forms and aesthetic these trees bring to a landscape.
Conserves rare and threatened species, such as the Wollemi pine.
Identifies species tolerant of the conditions of future climate change.

*Araucaria muelleri* on Hopetoun Lawn. This species' epithet *muelleri* is a reference to the first Director of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Baron Ferdinand von Mueller.

Key Plants

Araucaria cunninghamii

Hoop Pine

This species is a tall and long-lived Araucaria native to the dry rainforests of NSW and QL... Read More

Araucaria heterophylla

Norfolk Island Pine

Perhaps the most well-known of the Araucaria is the Norfolk Island Pine. Although common in... Read More

Araucaria bidwillii

Bunya Bunya

The most visually striking Araucaria at the Gardens. This tree has a history dating back to... Read More

Agathis ovata

Mountain Kauri

This is a slow-growing shrub or small tree from New Caledonia. The crown is somewhat flattened. This... Read More

<em>Araucaria cunninghamii</em>

Hoop Pine

This species is a tall and long-lived Araucaria native to the dry rainforests of NSW and QLD. It is one of the taller trees in Australia commonly known to grow to 60 metres.

Notes from the Curator

Araucarias, Agathis and Wollemia are wonderful statuesque trees found only in the Southern hemisphere, The Gardens showcases some of the oldest cultivated specimens in Australia and the character of its tree canopy is well defined by these trees. The future of the collection is bright and well suited to a changing climate and of the highest importance to sustain into the future.

I have been actively involved with this collection since 2005 and have sourced many new species for the gardens such as Agathis corbassonii, Agathis vitiensis, Agathis ovata, Agathis montana and Agathis moorei. I have also trialled grafting these species onto the Australian Agathis robusta with great success. I source these new additions by connecting with other Botanic Gardens, Collectors and rare plant nurseries throughout Australia.