What is this ?

Discussion in 'Plants and Biodiversity Stumpers' started by ginger749, May 27, 2007.

  1. ginger749

    ginger749 Active Member

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    And what tree did it come from ?

    DSCN1463.jpg
     
  2. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    looks a lot like a cone from Sequoiadendron but more elongated..
     
  3. David R

    David R Member

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    Hmmm..I'm inclined to think that it is an Araucaria bidwilli or Bunya Bunya cone.
     
  4. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    I'd agree with Araucaria bidwilli.
     
  5. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    cool, I want one. I have never seen a cone levitate before, should make for great show and tell. :D
     
  6. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Me too please!!

    I'd wondered about the levitation too, particaularly as they weigh about 2-3kg.
     
  7. ginger749

    ginger749 Active Member

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    David R .Yes you are right .
    I edited my hand out so as not to give away the size .
    I'll now show the real Pic.
    The hand would have given away the cone size .
    I'll dig up a Pic. of the tree taken last week end .

    DSCN1462.JPG
     
  8. ginger749

    ginger749 Active Member

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    Here is that Pic of the tree .
    They have a very cone shaped top unlike no other conifer.

    DSCN1546.JPG
     
  9. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Some other Araucaria species aren't too different, though: Araucaria araucana here
     

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  10. ginger749

    ginger749 Active Member

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    Hi Michael F,
    I was Quoting from the book "Joe's Book, The Bunya Mountains "
    These branches are not to be messed with .
    Each leaf is like a dagger .

    DSCN1475.JPG
     
  11. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Hi Ginger,

    Nice pic!

    Here's A. araucana for comparison (with cone) . . . also not to be messed with :-)
     

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  12. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Araucaria and Bunya at 40 paces.......

    2-3 Kg is that the norm? What happens if you are standing under said trees if they come down. Bit like a widowmaker gum tree. If the cones are a danger do councils rope them off or similar when they shed.

    Just curious please.
    Liz
     
  13. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    The potential for a fatality is there, but the chances of actually being hit are low. I've heard of trees being roped off during the period when the cones come down.

    It would be interesting to know what traditions the Bunya Native Australian people have regarding safety - they of course harvest the cones as an important food resource, and must be under pressure to get to the cones as soon as they fall, before other animals take them.

    No problems with Araucaria araucana, in that species the cones break up on the tree before falling, unlike A. bidwillii. So all you get is a shower of loose seeds.
     
  14. ginger749

    ginger749 Active Member

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  15. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Yep! Just the day before I posted it, too.

    Urban legend! ;-) http://www.straightdope.com/columns/020719.html
     

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