A new tree, the Wollemi pine, was recently discovered by a naturalist from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in New South Wales who first recognised that the tree is a new genus. It was found in an isolated area with difficult access in a rainforest gorge and on rock ledges on National Park in the Wollemi area, northwest and just 200 km from Sydney. It is related to fossils 80200 million years old.
The tree is in low numbers, and is, at this time, unnamed. It is thought to be a link between Agathis and Araucaria, but no other information is available at this time.
The population consists of 23 adults and 16 juveniles, the oldest estimated to be at least 400 years. The juveniles occur in distinct groups outside the immediate canopy cover of adult trees.
Wollemi pine (proposed name Wollemia nobilis) is a new genus of the family Araucariaceae. This conifer's nearest relations are Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine, Norfolk Island Pine and Kauri Pine.
The mature Wollemi pines reach approximately 35 m height, with the main trunk up to one metre diameter. Each tree may have up to 30 vertical stems of different ages growing in huge mallee-like form. They have epicormic shoots, two distinct phases of foliage, and the bark is brown and bubbly, like large chocolate cracklen.
Female cones grow on the younger branches in the upper-part of the tree separate from male cones which form on older branches lower down. Male cones shed in the same season while cones are retained for possibly two years until they mature and shed seed.
Correspondence: Marcia Lambert, Research Division, Forestry Commission of New South Wales, P. O. Box 100, Beecroft 2119 N. S. W., Australia
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