Araucaria heterophylla seeds

LATIN NAME: Araucaria heterophylla

COMMON NAME: Norfolk Island Pine, Star Pine

The Norfolk Island pine is one of the most elegant and distinctive of all conifers, and its neat, symmetrical shape is recognised around the world. It grows with a straight, upright trunk and whorls of branches that spread out evenly in layers, giving the young tree a perfect, regular, candelabra outline. The branches are clothed in soft, bright green leaves that lie in flattened, fern-like sprays, and in time the tree develops a tall, open crown. It grows slowly and gracefully, and it makes a beautiful living Christmas tree when small, a handsome houseplant when young, and a stately, windswept tree when it reaches the coast.

The Norfolk Island pine belongs to the ancient araucaria family, Araucariaceae, and it is native to Norfolk Island, a small island in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand. It is a tropical and subtropical tree that thrives in mild, moist, frost-free climates, and it has been planted along coasts and in gardens across the warm temperate world.

Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide

Growing a Norfolk Island pine from seed is a slow but very rewarding project. The large seeds sit inside the heavy, woody cones, and they germinate in warm, moist conditions. Sow them in pots of free-draining compost, barely covering them, and keep them warm, humid and lightly shaded. Germination can take several weeks and is often uneven, so be patient and keep the pots gently moist and warm. Pot the young trees on as they grow, giving them bright, indirect light and protecting them from frost and harsh sun. They grow slowly but steadily, and a Norfolk Island pine you have raised from seed will become a beautiful, symmetrical tree that will grace a room, a conservatory or a mild coastal garden for many years.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The Norfolk Island pine has a genuine place in both botanical and horticultural research. As a member of the ancient araucaria family, it is of interest to botanists studying the evolution and distribution of conifers, a group that was once far more widespread. In horticulture, it is one of the most important ornamental conifers for mild climates, studied for its tolerance of coastal winds and salt, which makes it valuable for planting by the sea, and for its use as an indoor tree and a living Christmas tree in cooler regions. Researchers have also studied its cultivation, its pest problems and its responses to indoor conditions. For a tree of such perfect symmetry, the Norfolk Island pine has a steady and practical record of research.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

Ecologically, the Norfolk Island pine is a valuable tree of the coast. Its tall crown gives shelter and nesting sites for seabirds, its dense foliage provides cover for insects and birds, and it is one of the few tall trees that thrive in windy, salty coastal conditions.

Its economic value is considerable. It is one of the most widely planted ornamental conifers in mild, coastal regions, used in gardens, parks, avenues and coastal plantings, and it is a popular houseplant and living Christmas tree in cooler climates, with a solid place in the nursery trade. For a grower, the Norfolk Island pine is a dependable, long-lived ornamental, and for a gardener it brings a touch of the South Pacific and a perfect, elegant symmetry to any collection.

Uses: gardening, landscape. Timber .Bonsai

Norfolk pine