Norfolk Island Pine (fruit)

Description:

Araucaria heterophylla is a distinctive conifer, a member of the ancient and now disjointly distributed family Araucariaceae. As its vernacular name Norfolk Island Pine implies, the tree is endemic to Norfolk Island, a small island in the Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The genus Araucaria occurs across the South Pacific. It is sometimes called a 'star pine', 'triangle tree' or 'living christmas tree', due to its symmetrical shape as a sapling, although it is not a true pine. In its native habitat, this tree may reach 200 feet in height with 15 pound cones. They're not fond of the cold, preferring a more temperate climate. PS: I would suggest that either cockatoos or corellas have had a go at this cone. This would definitely be on any big parrot's favourite foods list!

Habitat:

Spotted in an area known as The Haven, at Terrigal Beach on the NSW Central Coast.

Notes:

I love these iconic trees for very sentimental reasons. Whenever I see them, regardless of where they may be, they remind me of many of my favourite beaches in Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW, particularly Manly, Bilgola, Whale, Palm, Avoca and Terrigal Beaches. These trees are planted along the beach fronts and form (for me) the quintessential Australian beach scene.