Description

The Araucarian fossil record dates back over 200 million years to the late Triassic period and the discovery of W. nobilis has enabled the re-evaluation of a number of important fossil specimens. Araucaria, genus of 20 species of pinelike coniferous plants in the family Araucariaceae. They are found in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, and Australia. The name of the genus is derived from Arauco, the name of a district in southern Chile where the trees were first discovered. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals and as timber trees, and a number are listed as endangered species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.