Araucaria rulei

Branch with needles

Araucaria rulei is a plant of the genus Araucaria (Araucaria ). It is a critically endangered endemic species belonging to New Caledonia island of Grande Terre.

Description

Araucaria rulei grows as evergreen tree that can reach heights of growth of up to 30 meters. The shape of the crown resembles a spider. The branches reach diameter of 2 to 2.5 centimeters. The dark brown bark peels off in narrow strips or shed.

In young specimens the leaves are scale-like and have a pointed tip. On older trees which imbricate overlapping, scale-like leaves are twisted and with a length of 2 to 2.5 inches and a width from 1.1 to 1.4 centimeters lanceolate with a pronounced midrib. The top of the dark green leaves are incurved.

The male cones are cylindrical in shape with a length of around 13 centimeters and a diameter of about 3 inches. They contain triangular Mikrosporophylle with 15 pollen sacs. The female cones are about 12 inches long and about 8 inches thick. The seed is about 3 inches long and has an extended tip and an egg-shaped wings.

Occurrence

The natural range of Araucaria rulei is located in the center and south of Grande Terre. However, the individual holdings are highly fragmented.

Araucaria rulei thrives at altitudes of 400 to 1000 meters. The species grows on soils that develop on serpentine. It occurs mainly in dry forests and open bushland.

Use

Especially in Australia Araucaria rulei is used as an ornamental plant.

System

Araucaria rulei belongs to the section Eutacta within the genus Araucaria (Araucaria ). The first description was in 1860 by the Araucaria rulei Ferdinand von Mueller in Essay on the plants collected by Mr. Eugene Fitzalan, falling on Lieut. Smith's expedition to the estuary of the Burdekin 18

Threats and conservation

Araucaria rulei is " critically endangered " on the Red List of IUCN. The individual populations are highly fragmented, so that hardly can take place, a genetic exchange between them. In the last hundred years, the total stock has decreased by around 50 %. The main hazard due to the mining and associated activities such as road construction and tailings storage are called. Furthermore, forest fires are a risk; None of the known stocks is under protection, but in some areas there are attempts at reforestation.

Swell

• Template: Internet resource / maintenance / access date not in ISO format Christopher J. Earle: Araucaria rulei. In: The Gymnosperm Database. www.conifers.org, December 12, accessed 23 June 2011 (English).