Araucaria araucana

Araucaria araucana, commonly known as the monkey puzzle tree, is a distinctive evergreen conifer native to central Chile and southwestern Argentina. It features symmetrical, spiky branches with scale-like leaves, giving it a unique, prehistoric appearance. This slow-growing, long-lived tree can reach heights of over 30 meters (98 feet) and is valued for its ornamental beauty and timber. It thrives in cool, well-drained soils and is often cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens worldwide. Despite its impressive stature and age, it is considered vulnerable in the wild due to logging and habitat loss.