Araucariaceae
Araucariaceae is a family of coniferous trees native mainly to the Southern Hemisphere, including the genera Araucaria, Agathis, and Wollemia.
Conifer: A cone-bearing seed plant whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary. Araucariaceae is one family within this broad group of seed plants.
Kauri gum: Fossilized resin from kauri trees, historically collected in New Zealand for varnish and other uses. It came from Agathis australis, a prominent member of the family.
Gondwana: An ancient southern supercontinent that included the landmasses now forming South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India. The family’s fossil record and modern range reflect Gondwana’s former connections.
Pinaceae: The conifer family containing pines, firs, spruces, and larches. Its needle-like leaves and cone structures contrast with many araucarian forms.
Pinophyta: The division of seed plants commonly known as conifers. This division contains Araucariaceae alongside other conifer families.
Araucaria angustifolia: A South American conifer known as the Paraná pine or Brazilian pine. Its edible seeds and timber have supported regional foodways and economies.
Araucarioxylon: An extinct genus of fossil wood commonly associated with ancient araucarian conifers. Its fossils document araucarian-type trees in deep time.
Podocarpaceae: A diverse conifer family found chiefly in the Southern Hemisphere. It shares a southern distribution with Araucariaceae but has distinct seed-bearing structures.
Araucaria: A genus of evergreen conifers native to South America, Australia, and Pacific islands. It is one of the three living genera that define the family.
Agathis australis: The New Zealand kauri, a large conifer native to the North Island. Its timber and resin made it one of the family’s most heavily exploited species.