Scientific Name: Araucaria bidwillii

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  • Pronunciation:
    arr-oo-KAIR-ee-ah bid-WILL-ee
  • Common Name:
    Bunya Pine
  • Derivation:
    Araucaria: from
  • Type:
    Tree
  • Family:
    ARAUCARIACEAE
  • Flowers:
    January to Febuary - separate male and female stroboli uSummerally on same plant
  • Fruit:
    Large woody cones 20-30 cm long, contain large nuts.
  • Vegetation Type:
    Sub-tropical rainforest
  • Species List:
    Kin Kin Arboretum, Bush food, Janet, Upper Yandina Creek, RE 12.8.13. RE 12.12.16.
Cultural Notes

TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential:

Tree of enormous significance to the indigenous peoples of the Blackall Range. Approximately every 3 years, an especially plentiful harvest was shared among 600-700 people. Timber similar to hoop pine. Bush food: The fruit was eaten raw, roasted, or pounded to flour to make a kind of bread. Important source of natural starch.-- Today, the nuts can still be eaten raw when fresh, or boiled to make it easier to extract the nut from the hard shell. The nuts can then be sliced or pureed and added to desserts and savoury dishes. The nuts' flour can also be used to make breads and cakes

Identification Notes

Rounded crown ||Bark: dark brown rough and thick ||Leaves: form tufts at branch ends||

Landscaping Notes

Dry sites. Successfully propogated by Noosa & District Landcare. Potted plant makes good Christmas tree. Indoor pot plant potential.||Frequently seen in older suburbs and gardens with trees well over 100 years old. Not suitable for small gardens, but excellent for large parks and acreages. (Darren Mansfield)|||Successfully propagated by Florabunda Bushcare nursery, Woombye|Successfully propagated by Mooloolah Native Nursery||Successfully propagated by Barung Landcare||