Systematics

Description   

Distribution & Habitat   

Culture  

Propagation  

Uses   

References

Scientific Name:  

Araucaria excelsa

   

   

Common Name:

Norfolk Island Pine

Taxonomy

 

Kingdom Plantae

Phylum Coniferophyta

Class Pinate

Order Coniferales

Family Araucariaceae

Genus Araucaria

Species excelsa

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Reference for Systematics:

http://pss.uvm.edu/pop/aticles/norfolk_island_pine.htm

Description

Coniferous (cone bearing) evergreen. Narrow needle-like leaves, whorled. Side branches radiate from trunk at wide angles giving the Norfolk Island Pine a layered look. Relatively slow growing plant. Average height is about 3 or 4 feet as house plants. In native habitat, can reach height of 200 feet with a 9 diameter.

Reference for Descriptive Information:

http://www.csthome.tzo.com/BriansGarden/houseplants/000927h.html

Distribution and Habitat

Native only to Norfolk Island in the south Pacific, between Caledonia and Australia

 Cultural Information

Soil · 3:1 ratio of peat:sand, Fertilize every 3 or 4 months. Repot every 2 to 3 years

Water requirement ·  Enough to keep soil moist but not too wet.   

Light · Medium light, near a window.
Humidity · Too little humidity will cause needles to fall off.
Temperature · A wide range from 45 to 75 degrees F can be tolerated but avoid extreme temperatures.
    

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Reference for Cultural Information:
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod03/01700087.html

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/ornamentals/foliage/norfolkpine.html

  

Propagation Methods   

Norfolk Island Pine is somewhat difficult to propagate. Several methods that should be attempted are air layering, shoot cuttings and seed germination.

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References for Propagation Methods:

http://www.aboutdecorating.net/norfolk_island_pine.htm

Uses/ Fun Facts

Norfolk Island Pine is a common houseplant. It is also often used as a living Christmas tree. Sometimes branches become injured due to heavy decorations. It is said that Captain Cook was the first to discover Norfolk Island Pine.

   

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References for Uses and Fun Facts:

http://msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod03/01700087.html

 General References

http://www.aboutdecorating.net/norfolk_island_pine.htm

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/ornamentals/foliage/norfolkpine.html

http://msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod03/01700087.html

http://www.csthome.tzo.com/BriansGarden/houseplants/000927h.html

http://pss.uvm.edu/pop/aticles/norfolk_island_pine.htm

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Image References   

URL specified below each image.

http://www.tbc.gov.bc.ca/cwgames/country/Norfolk/norfolk.html

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/ornamentals/foliage/norfolkpine.html

http://www.evergrowing.com/HousePlantTV/araucaria.htm

http://www.indoorsun.com/Pages?Norfolk%20Island%20Pine.html

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/nf.html

This page was developed by:   

Jenny Lynn Beam

W&J Class of 2003

   

Last revised on April 30, 2001