#monkeytree — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #monkeytree, aggregated by home.social.
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The #MonkeyTree is the #hardiest species in the #conifer genus #Araucaria. Because of the prevalence of similar species in ancient #prehistory, it is sometimes called an #AnimateFossil.
Its #seeds are #edible, similar to large pine nuts, & are harvested by #Indigenous peoples in #Argentina & #Chile.
The tree has potential to be a #FoodCrop in other areas in the future, thriving in climates with cool oceanic summers. Like, #VancouverIsland & several coastal areas of the #PacificNorthwest.
The tree doesn't yield seeds until it is around 30-40 yrs old though.Once valued because of its long, straight trunk, its current #rarity & #vulnerable status mean its wood is now rarely used; it is also #sacred to some #Indigenous #Mapuche.
The species is #protected under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade is regulated by the CITES permitting system & commercial trade in wild sourced specimens is prohibited.