Araucariaceae [SEP] parent taxon
the bunya bunya, "Araucaria bidwillii", for example, weigh , about the size and weight of a large pineapple. They can drop from heights of .
Classification and genera.
Araucariaceae is classified under the order Pinales, class Pinopsida of the division Pinophyta. The division includes all living conifers. Recently however, some authorities treat Araucariaceae as a separate order, Araucariales.
Araucariaceae contains three extant genera and about 41 species.
- "Araucaria" contains 19 living species found in New Caledonia (where 13
was about half the length of the leaves.
These fossils are found together with two types of highly distinctive cones (presumed to be female) that show affinities to both Araucariaceae and Cupressaceae (cypresses). However, they have not been described.
Taxonomy.
"A. sanctaecrucis" is classified in the genus "Araucarites" of the family Araucariaceae. The genus is a form taxon, and is reserved for specimens of possible members of the genus "Araucaria", but due to various reasons can not be identified