Araucaria bidwillii

Araucaria bidwillii Hook.

Family: Araucariaceae

Common names: Bunya pine, widow-maker.

An evergreen conifer native to Queensland, Australia, it can reach heights of up to 40 meters. It has a densely branched crown, with leathery leaves that can grow up to 5 cm long and taper to a point at the apex. The female cones, when mature, are large, oval or more or less spherical in shape, and have a bright green color.

A sacred tree for Australian Aboriginal people, it is used in its native regions for its seeds, which can be consumed raw, boiled, or ground into flour to prepare cakes and a type of bread. The wood, which is heavy and dense, is used particularly for crafting small sculptures and fine furniture. In various regions, including the Mediterranean area, this tree is also used for ornamental purposes.

The name of the genus derives from Arauco, an indigenous tribe from southern Chile, the original area of Araucaria araucana, the first species established in genus Araucaria.

The designation "widow-maker", by which this plant is also known, is related to the female cones that, when falling from considerable heights, could be lethal to lumberjacks.