Agathis robusta
| Agathis robusta | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Araucariales |
| Family: | Araucariaceae |
| Genus: | Agathis |
| Species: | A. robusta
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| Binomial name | |
| Agathis robusta | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Agathis robusta, commonly known as the Queensland kauri (pine) or smooth-barked kauri, is a coniferous tree in the family Araucariaceae. Although sometimes called a pine it is not a true pine, having leaves rather than needles. It has a disjunct distribution, occurring in Papua New Guinea and Queensland, Australia. Populations in Papua New Guinea may be treated as the distinct species Agathis spathulata.[4]
Description
It is a large evergreen tree growing straight and tall to a height of 30–50 m (98–164 ft), with smooth, scaly bark. The leaves are up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide, tough and leathery in texture, with no midrib. They are arranged in opposite pairs (rarely whorls of three) on the stem. The globose, green seed cones measure 8–13 cm (3.1–5.1 in) diameter and mature in 18–20 months after pollination. They disintegrate at maturity to release the seeds. The male (pollen) cones are cylindrical, 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long and 1–1.5 cm (0.39–0.59 in) thick.
Taxonomy
The Queensland kauri was first described as Dammara robusta in 1859 by the German born Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller and published in the journal Quarterly Journal and Transactions of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria. In 1883 the Colonial Botanist of Queensland Frederick Manson Bailey published a paper in which he gave the species its current binomial name Agathis robusta.[2][3]
Subspecies
There are two recognised subspecies as of January 2023[update], namely Agathis robusta ssp. nesophila Whitmore, which is restricted to New Guinea and New Britain,[5] and the autonymous subspecies Agathis robusta ssp. robusta.[3]
Etymology
The genus name Agathis is from the Ancient Greek word ἀγαθίς, "ball of thread", a reference to the appearance of the female cones (seed cones).[6][7] The species epithet is derived from the Latin word rōbustus meaning "robust".[7]
Distribution and habitat
Agathis robusta occurs in two locations, a southern population on K'gari (Fraser Island) and around Maryborough, and a northern population in the Cairns region, including the Atherton Tablelands. The northern population was formerly distinguished as Agathis palmerstonii, but does not differ from the southern population and is no longer considered distinct.[8]
Uses
The Queensland kauri was heavily logged in the past, and spectacular trees of prodigious size are much rarer than in pre-European times; despite this, the species as a whole is not endangered.
Gallery
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Foliage -
Bark -
Harvested in the Eudlo district, Queensland, in 1905 -
Located in the Rose Garden at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, California -
History and description of Agathis robusta tree at the Huntington Library and Gardens
References
- ^ Farjon, A. (2013). "Agathis robusta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T16437966A2960124. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T16437966A2960124.en. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Agathis robusta". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Agathis robusta C.Moore ex F.Muell.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ de Laubenfels, D. J. (1988). Coniferales. In van Steenis & de Wilde (eds.), Flora Malesiana 10: 337-453.
- ^ "Agathis robusta subsp. nesophila Whitmore". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Araucariaceae in Queensland" (PDF). Woodworks Museum & Interpretive Centre. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ a b Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 4. ISBN 9780958174213.
- ^ Whitmore, T. C. (1980). A monograph of Agathis. Pl. Syst. Evol. 135: 41-69.
External links
Data related to Agathis robusta at Wikispecies
Media related to Agathis robusta at Wikimedia Commons- View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver
- Agathis robusta at the Gymnosperm Database.
