Question - How to tell which species

Hi there, thanks for looking..........I was just wondering how one would tell
which Araucaria species one has.

I have what I call a "monkey puzzle" tree, and is most likely the "common"
monkey puzzle tree, but how would I tell if I am suspicous......
Are there any pic's etc, of the different species?

Thanks for any reply
Ken

 

Conifers.org has descriptions. Maybe you have Araucaria bidwillii.

 

Ken,
Off topic...I couldn't help but notice your forum ID "caudiciform Ken". Could it be you are into caudiciform plants and Araucariaceae like I am? Check out the Caudiciform and Pachycaul Tree forum some time. We could always use more input, feedback, and photos.


The non-scientific differences...A. auracana "needles" radiate 360* around the branch, are tightly formed, firm, and extremely sharp. Whereas A. bidwilli "needles" are often found alternating right side/left side of the branch, especially on older growth (new growth tends to radiate 360*), more distance between the needles, and tend to be softer and less prickly.

Mark

http://www.conifers.org/ar/ar/bidwillii.html
http://www.floridata.com/ref/A/arau_ara.cfm
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus2/factsheet.cfm?ID=825

 

Can you post a pic of your own?

 

I've been accessing the internet, lately, from a computer at work during breaks. My personal computer was involved in an "incident" involving two young boys, a labrador retriever, and the laptop being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Work computers do not allow any downloading of any material (photos, etc.).

I'll get some photos posted as soon as I can.

 

I was referring to the original poster there! But by all means post a pic of yours too. And that story sounds too fascinating to miss . . . do tell all! :-)

 

Hey ya Mark & all, thanks for the replies. Yes Mark, I've been collecting caudiciform plants for a while now. I'll post in the other forum what I have.
From the sounds of it, I must have a A. bidwilli, as the growth is how you describe. I'll take a picture over the next few day's, and post it.
Thanks again.
Ken

 

One of ID tips I find unique to that species and very few others, is "can it cause bleeding?"

It's like, what's harder to prune - a huge interwoven Firethorn, or monkey puzzle tree?

 

Yeah, I heard of someone who had to be rushed to hospital to have numerous stitches put in, after grabbing an Araucaria araucana branch too hard while trying to harvest cones.