Araucaria bidwillii

Hook.

Bunya pine

Araucariaceae Edible: Seeds, Kernel, Nuts Potential hazards — see below 3,896 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Araucaria bidwillii, commonly known as the bunya pine (), banya or bunya-bunya, is a large evergreen coniferous tree in the family Araucariaceae which is endemic to Australia. Its natural range is southeast Queensland with two very small, disjunct populations in northeast Queensland's World Heritage listed Wet Tropics. There are many planted specimens on the Atherton Tableland, in New South Wales, and around the Perth metropolitan area, and it has also been widely planted in other parts of the world. They are very tall trees – the tallest living individual is in Bunya Mountains National Park and was reported by Robert Van Pelt in January 2003 to be 51.5 m (169 ft) in height.

Description

A large tree. It can be 50 m high. They spread to 10-20 m across. The branches radiate out in a symmetrical fashion. The lowest branches droop towards the ground. The leaves are simple and 2-6 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are oval and leathery. They are spiny at the tip. The fruit are large seed cones. They are up to 20-30 cm long by 15-20 cm wide and occur at the ends of twigs. These contain numerous seeds which are up to 5 cm long. The seeds are edible.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - raw, cooked or ground into a powder. Starchy and delicious, it has the texture of a waxy boiled potato with the flavour of chestnuts. Large, it is an important food source for the Australian Aborigines. Cones can be up to 4.5 kilos in weight and contain up to 150 seeds. The germinating seed produces an underground 'earth nut' which has a coconut-like flavour.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The germinating seed produces an underground earth nut that has a coconut flavour and is eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The cones of the bunya pine are some of the largest produced by the conifer family. The cones—which can grow to as much as 35 centimetres (14 in) in diameter when mature, and weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 lb)—can drop on unsuspecting passersby from heights of 40 metres (130 ft) or more. The falling cones are capable of causing severe injuries. Caution is also advised when parking under these trees as the falling cones can damage vehicles.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to Queensland, Australia. They grow naturally in rainforest in Queensland, Australia. They can grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. It suits humid locations. They need a moist well drained soil. In Nepal they grow at 1200-1300 m altitude. It cannot tolerate frost. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Arboretum Tasmania. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Launceston City Park. In Yunnan. National Arboretum Canberra.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia*, Central America, China, East Africa, Europe, Fiji, Guatemala, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Tasmania, USA, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils. Plants are resistant to salt spray. Not very hardy outdoors in Britain, it requires a cool greenhouse in most parts of the country. Some provenances should be hardy at least in the milder areas, there is one tree growing in Cornwall at Glendurgan gardens. It was 10 metres tall in 1965. This species is hardy to about -5°c, with occasional lows to -8°c, but it is liable to be killed in severe winters even in the Scilly Isles. In Australia, each Aboriginal family would own a group of trees and these would be passed down from generation to generation. This is said to be the only case of hereditary personal property owned by the Aborigines.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or it can be stored cool and moist then sown February in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 15°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The plants have a rather sparse root system and are best placed in their final positions as soon as possible. Give them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter.

Other Uses

Wood Wood - soft, easily worked, high quality. Used for cabinet making, flooring, plywood etc. The branches are used for fencing and fuel. Special Uses Carbon Farming

Production

Plants are slow growing. A cone can weigh 4 kg.

Other Information

The fruit are popular in aboriginal communities.

Notes

There are 19 Araucaria species. There are 13 species in New Caledonia.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Seed	43.9	856	205	11	—	—	2.1	0.7

Synonyms

Araucaria bidwilliana Siebert & VossColumbea bidwillii (Hook.) Carriere

Also Known As

Bunya-bunya, Kanre salla, Padetha-tinyu, Pohon arukaria bunya, Queensland pine

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