Araucaria angustifolia (Parana pine, "Burajirumatsu")

Japanese name: ブラジルマツ
Scientific name: Araucaria angustifolia

[Overview]
An evergreen coniferous tree up to 40 m tall and 1 m in diameter.
The bark peels off in scales.
Thick branches extend horizontally; the crown is at first ovoid, but in mature trees the lower branches drop and it becomes umbrella-shaped.
The leaves are spirally alternate, triangular, 3–6 cm long, pointed and thick.
The leaves are long-lived, lasting 10 to 15 years.
It is dioecious.
The male cones are elliptic and borne at the branch tips.
The female cones are nearly spherical and borne at the branch tips.
The seed cones are 18–25 cm in diameter and contain more than 100 seeds.
The seeds are reddish brown and triangular-pyramidal.

[History]
It arrived in Japan at the end of the Meiji period.

[Uses]
This group is counted among the world's three great park trees.
The seeds are edible.
In its native range it is an important timber tree.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
Seed is best sown immediately after collection, but if refrigerated it can still germinate the following year.
The optimum germination temperature is around 25°C.
For cuttings, use only the tip of the main trunk.
If side branches are used, they grow only sideways and do not develop the proper tree form.
It can overwinter outdoors in regions without frost.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, water thoroughly from spring to autumn when the soil surface dries, and keep on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
In spring and autumn, place slow-release fertilizer on the soil.
Scale insects can occur.

[Notes]
The alternative name comes from its abundance in the state of Parana, Brazil.

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