The Monkey Puzzle Tree, scientifically known as Araucaria araucana, is an evergreen tree found in central and southern Chile and western Argentina. It has a unique appearance, featuring a pyramid-shaped structure and branches that spiral around the trunk, creating a spiral staircase effect. This ancient tree species is renowned for its massive size, with some specimens reaching up to 40 meters in height and 1-1.5 meters in diameter. The bark is thick and scaly, with a reddish-brown hue, while the leaves are sharp and pointed, measuring up to 5 cm in length. The tree produces large cones that can grow up to 20 cm in length, containing edible seeds that serve as a traditional food source for the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina.
The Monkey Puzzle Tree is a type of tree that takes a long time to grow, with some trees taking more than 200 years to fully mature. Its distinctive appearance and cultural significance have made it a popular choice for ornamental plants in gardens and parks worldwide, including the United States, Europe, and Australia.
The Monkey Puzzle Tree is significant in its natural range as it serves as a crucial ecological element, offering food and shelter to numerous wildlife species such as birds and small mammals. Regrettably, this tree is facing considerable danger due to deforestation, unlawful logging activities, and the arrival of non-native species that disturb the local ecosystem and compete for resources.
