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Araucaria araucana

Monkey Puzzle Tree

Plant photo of: Araucaria araucana
Information by: Jerry Sortomme Editor        Photographer: Roy Wiskar, PlantMaster

 

Description

This large, evergreen tree will eventually grow about 70'-90' tall and has pointed, dark green leaves. It is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. The origin of the popular English language name "monkey puzzle" derives from its early cultivation in Britain in about 1850, when the species was still very rare in gardens and not widely known. Sir William Molesworth, the proud owner of a young specimen at Pencarrow garden near Bodmin in Cornwall, was showing it to a group of friends, one of them – the noted barrister and Benthamist Charles Austin – remarked, "It would puzzle a monkey to climb that". As the species had no existing popular name, first "monkey puzzler", then "monkey puzzle" stuck.

 

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Height Range

60-100'

Flower Color

n/a

Flower Season

n/a

Leaf Color

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

Water

Medium

Growth Rate

Slow

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

Soil Condition

Average, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

n/a

Accenting Features

n/a

Seasonal Interest

n/a

Location Uses

Background, Swimming Pool

Special Uses

n/a

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Water Saving Tip:

Check your irrigation controller once a month, and adjust as necessary.

Most plants require only one-third as much water in winter as they do in summer.