Araucaria humboldtensis

Araucaria humboldtensis is a plant of the genus Araucaria (Araucaria ). It is an endemic species of the southern part of the island belonging to New Caledonia Grande Terre.

Description

Araucaria humboldtensis grows as a evergreen tree that can reach heights of growth 6-15 meters. The shape of the crown resembles a chandelier. The initially pale brown, later gray bark flakes off in scales or rectangular in thin strips. The branches are a plane V-shaped and have a diameter of 0.8 to 1 centimeter.

In young specimens the leaves are scale-like, with a length from 2.5 to 4 millimeters and a width of 2-3 mm and have a triangular incurved tip. On older trees are the overlapping tile-like, scale-like leaves with a length of 5 to 6 millimeters and a width of 4 to 5 millimeters keeled - ovate with a pointed or curved- top and a distinct midrib.

The male cones are up to 6 centimeters and a diameter of about 1.5 centimeters twisted - cylindrical in shape with a length. They contain triangular Mikrosporophylle with six pollen sacs. The more or less spherical female cones have a length of about 9 centimeters and a diameter of approximately 8 centimeters. The seed is about 3 inches tall and has a broad wings.

Occurrence

The natural range of Araucaria humboldtensis located south of the island belonging to New Caledonia Grande Terre. You get there before on Mont Humboldt, Mount Kouakoué, Mount Mou and the Mount of Sources. According to unconfirmed reports, there is also an occurrence near Mamie.

Araucaria humboldtensis thrives at altitudes 750-1600 m. They inhabited mountain slopes and peaks. The species grows on soils that develop on ultramafic rocks.

System

Araucaria humboldtensis belongs to the section Eutacta within the genus Araucaria (Araucaria ). The first description was in 1949 as Araucaria humboldtensis by John Theodore Buchholz in Bulletin du Muséum d' Histoire Naturelle, 21, pp. 279

Endangering

Araucaria columnaris is " critically endangered " on the Red List of IUCN. As the main threat basic forest fires are called. Furthermore, it always comes back to an increased death of trees. The exact reasons for the death are unknown, but it is believed stress or a previously unknown disease.

Swell

• Template: Internet resource / maintenance / access date not in ISO format Christopher J. Earle: Araucaria humboldtensis. In: The Gymnosperm Database. www.conifers.org, accessed 2 June 2011 (English).