Species: Araucaria heterophylla
English Name: Norfolk Island Pine
Chinese Name: 異葉南洋杉
Family: Araucariaceae
Description:
The trees grow to a height of 50–65 m, with straight vertical trunks and symmetrical branches, even in the face of incessant onshore winds that can contort most other species. The scientific name heterophylla (“different leaves”) derives from the variation in the leaves between young and adult plants.
Used as a house plant and sometimes as a Christmas Tree. Resin isolated from stem exudates showed anti-ulcerogenic functions, and also cytotoxic activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines.
© 2009 John Tann
© 2010 Loren Javier
© 2012 Mark Kortum
Photos used under a Creative Commons license
References:
– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author