Araucariaceae

This is a very tall tree which grows to about 50m. Trunk diameter at the base is about 1.5 to 1.8m. Rough and scaly bark  covers the cylindrical trunk. It does not have any buttresses. The hoop pine was extensively logged for timber, resulting in disappearance of most large natural stands of this species.Sap from this tree is eaten by the Giant Pine Weevil.
Leaves: The leaves form tufts at the ends of the branches in a symmetrical shape. The blade of the leaf is stiff and dark green.
Flowers: The hoop pine has seperate and different male and female flowers which appear from November to February. The male flower is 3 to 6cm long. The female is found in the shape of a cone.
Fruit: Fruit is a spherical cone 8 to 10cm in diameter bearing flattened, winged seeds. Cones ripen from December to February. 


This tree is found in most types of rainforest but is a most common canopy tree in dry rainforest. It is also found as a remnant species in cleared scrubby areas.


There are a number of hoop pines which dominate the canopy around the Green Mountains entrance and campsite. 

Hauser, J. (1992) Fragments of Green - An Identification Field Guide for Rainforest Plants of the Greater Brisbane Region, Rainforest Conservation Society, Queensland.

Nan & Hugh Nicholson (1985, 1988, 1991,1994) Australian Rainforest Plants I, II, III & IV, Terania Rainforest Publishing, Australia. 
 
 
 

 

Photo: Nan & Hugh Nicholson

Photo: Queensland Department of Environment

Fruit & Leaf Diagram
Janet Hauser