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Wollemia |
Wollemia or Wollemi Pine is a sensational discovery in the Araucariaceae family. First found in 1994 only 150kms from Sydney in the Wollemi National Park, it is an extremely rare and endangered, but truly remarkable conifer. Discovered growing in a sandstone canyon in a warm temperate microclimate, it emerges above the adjacent Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) and Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras) trees. It has dark green fern-like foliage, cylindrical male cones on branches next to the female globular cones. Nursery raised plants have only been available since 2005 so anyone buying one is getting a crucial piece of a modern miracle. Amazingly the tree yields the anti-cancer drug Taxol as does the Pacific Yew Taxus brevifolia. This discovery also highlights the need to preserve conservation areas for both plant and animal species. |
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