Plant Details

Araucaria araucana

Monkey Puzzle Tree

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Common names

46 names · 25 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chile pine[1]
  • Chilean pine[1]
  • Monkey Puzzle Tree[1]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • monkey-puzzle[1]
  • monkey-tail tree[1]
  • monkeypuzzle tree[1]
Other languages (24)
Dutch
French
  • Désespoir des singes
  • Désespoir-des-singes[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 智利南洋杉[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 智利南洋杉[1]
  • 猴謎樹[1]
Czech
  • blahočet chilský[1]
Danish
Finnish
  • chilenaraukaria[1]
German
  • Affenbaum[1]
  • Affenschwanzbaum[1]
  • Andentanne[1]
+5 more namesShow fewer names
  • Chilenische Araukarie[1]
  • Chilenische Schmucktanne[1]
  • Chiletanne[1]
  • Schlangenbaum[1]
  • Schuppentanne[1]
Greek
  • Αραουκάρια η επαλληλόφυλλος[1]
  • Αραουκάρια της Αραουκανίας[1]
  • Αραουκάρια της Χιλής[1]
Hebrew
  • אראוקריה מרועפת[1]
Hungarian
  • Chilei Araukária[1]
Japanese
  • チリマツ[1]
Lithuanian
  • Čilinė araukarija[1]
Luxembourgish
Mapudungun
Norwegian
Polish
  • Araukaria chilijska[1]
  • igława chilijska[1]
Portuguese
  • Araucária-do-chile[1]
Russian
  • Араукария чилийская[1]
Slovak
  • araukária andská[1]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Şili Arakoryası[1]
Ukrainian
  • Араукарія чилійська[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Araucaria araucana — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • monkey-puzzle — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Pehuén — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Araucária-do-chile — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Chile pine — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • monkeypuzzle tree — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Chilenische Araukarie — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • monkey puzzle tree — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Désespoir-des-singes — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • araucaria — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Pehuen — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Andentanne — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Chiletanne — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Schlangenbaum — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Schuppentanne — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Affenschwanzbaum — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Affenbaum — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • blahočet chilský — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • チリマツ — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Araukaria chilijska — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Αραουκάρια η επαλληλόφυλλος — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Αραουκάρια της Αραουκανίας — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Αραουκάρια της Χιλής — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • 猴謎樹 — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • 智利南洋杉 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • 智利南洋杉 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Slangenden — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Apenboom — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Араукария чилийская — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Afebam — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • monkey-tail tree — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Chilean pine — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Abetræ — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Čilinė araukarija — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • brödgran — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Pewen — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Араукарія чилійська — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Apeskrekk — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • igława chilijska — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • chilenaraukaria — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Chilei Araukária — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • אראוקריה מרועפת — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • araukária andská — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Chilenische Schmucktanne — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • Şili Arakoryası — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.
  • nqilliu — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 126404; Araucaria araucana.

General information

Scientific name: Araucaria araucana
Accepted name (Kew): Araucaria araucana (Molina) K.Koch View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Araucariaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Araucaria (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Monkey Puzzle Tree
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Nut tree
Catalogue size class: Large
Height: 15.24–24.38 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 6.1–9.14 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Evergreen
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Conical, Erect, Pyramidal

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Seed
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Parasiticide, Fragrant

Description

Seeds - can be consumed raw or cooked. They are rich in starch. The seeds have a soft texture, similar to cashews, and have a subtle flavor akin to pine nuts. They are delicious and make a pleasant addition to meals. These seeds can be eaten in large quantities and serve as a staple food in the diet. They are quite large, about the size of an almond, and can be up to 3 cm long and 1 cm wide. The seeds are harvested in the autumn and can be stored cool and dry for at least 9 months.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/03
Harvest ends: 30/04

Crown

Crown shape: Umbrella-shaped

The crown broadens into this form at maturity.

Sources [3]
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 957406; name ID 14336; Araucaria Juss.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 957449; name ID 14339; Araucaria araucana (Molina) K.Koch.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Araucaria araucana

    Taxonomic data from WFO Pinopsida, version 2026-06 01, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 4836642, ID G67B: Araucaria araucana (Molina) K.Koch (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Araucaria araucana — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .