Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria araucana) branches with female seed bearing cones, Lanin , Argentina, South America, December

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Araucaria araucana is very slow growing conifer up to 40 m high Some are believed to be 300 years old Chilean National tree It's a descendent of the petrified pines found in the Bosques Petrificados The monkey puzzle nuts and its sharp leathery leaves were eaten by the Mapuche for centuries Some isolated trees are still regarded as sacred by the Mapuche who leave offerings to the tree's spirit Its cones weigh up to 1kg. Monkey-puzzle trees are classified as vulnerable (VU B1+2c) by the IUCN Red List. Native to Chile and Argentina, logging (including illegal logging in national parks) is contributing to the decline of these intriguing trees in the

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Size: 5120px × 3336px
Location: Lanin , Argentina, South America
Photo credit: © KrystynaSzulecka / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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