[type of genus] Wollemia is a monotypic genus. Of the other extant Araucariaceae, the new genus appears closest to Agathis, but it has many features in common with Cretaceous and early Tertiary fossil groups such as Araucarioides, and may be closer to these. Pollen also more closely resembles fossil pollen examples than pollen of either living genus.
Leaves on adult lateral shoots are one of the most distinctive features of the new discovery, being arranged to present four ranks, with two ranks at about 150-175 and the other two ranks lying between the first two at about 50-90.
Currently known only from a very wet and sheltered gorge in the Wollemi National Park, in a rugged mountainous area of the Blue Mountains within 200 km north-west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia (Anonymous 1999). The wild population consists of about 40 adult plants and about 200 seedlings.
Wollemia trunk
Photo by From conifers.org
Wollemia tree
Photo by From conifers.org
Wollemia branches
Photo by From conifers.org
Wollemia foliage
Photo by From conifers.org
Wollemia nobilis — a closeup of new foliage and pollen cones.
Photo by Sonia John
Wollemia nobilis — a closeup of the bark. Older trees are said to have bark resembling "melted chocolate.
Photo by Sonia John
Wollemia nobilis — one of two planted in the open at Kew Gardens, London, UK where they have survived many zone 8 winters without protection.
Photo by Sonia John
Wollemia nobilis — The larger of of the two specimens planted in the open at Kew Gardens, London, UK. When National Geographic Society first released seedlings, they recommended that they be caged to prevent theft.
Photo by Sonia John
Comments
Steven Vernon
I live in the Pacific Northwest...near Everett, WA. I would like to grow one of these "living fossils" in my yard. Where can I purchase a starter seedling...in an ideal world...in WA State?
Thanks!
Melissa Sawvell
Anyone know where to get seed or a plant? I can only find them on ebay in Britain.
Nick Beavis
West Seattle Nursery has (had, as of 3pm Sunday 9/11/22) a 6' specimen, from Iseli! I did a double take when I saw it today, but alas I do not have the budget for that size yet. Supposedly they had 5 or 6 of them but they were literally sold off the truck. I literally gushed to my wife about it and am excited that WS Nursery has the wherewithal to obtain them.
Comments
I live in the Pacific Northwest...near Everett, WA. I would like to grow one of these "living fossils" in my yard. Where can I purchase a starter seedling...in an ideal world...in WA State?
Thanks!
Anyone know where to get seed or a plant? I can only find them on ebay in Britain.
West Seattle Nursery has (had, as of 3pm Sunday 9/11/22) a 6' specimen, from Iseli! I did a double take when I saw it today, but alas I do not have the budget for that size yet. Supposedly they had 5 or 6 of them but they were literally sold off the truck. I literally gushed to my wife about it and am excited that WS Nursery has the wherewithal to obtain them.