A leaning green monument: How the pine tree that gave its name to Cook confused botany for centuries

🌲 Cook pine (Araucaria columnaris) 📍 Naming and discovery - Navigator's heritage: During the second Pacific voyage (1772-1775) of the 18th-century British navigator James Cook, his accompanying botanist first recorded this tree species in New Caledonia, hence the name "Cook pine". - Classification controversy: It is often mistaken for Norfolk pine (Araucaria heterophylla), but the trunk of Cook pine is slightly tilted, the bark peels off in flaky patterns, and the branches are dense, while the trunk of Norfolk pine is straight and the branches are sparse. 🌿 Botanical characteristics - Morphology: Evergreen conifer, up to 60 meters high, with a narrow conical crown. Its native habitat is New Caledonia, and it is now widely introduced to warm regions such as Australia and New Zealand. - Leaves and fruits: The needle-shaped leaves are spirally arranged with a metallic luster; the female cones are oval, up to 15 cm long, and the scales are hard. - Growth habits: - Drought and disease resistance: adapted to poor soil, few pests and diseases, but sensitive to air pollution. - Temperate limitations: The lowest cold-resistant zone is 9b (-3.9℃), and a high humidity environment is required above 27℃, and the suitable temperature is 7-24℃. 🎄 Cultural and practical value 1. Christmas symbol: The young tree is used as a holiday decoration in many places because it resembles a traditional Christmas tree, and is known as a "living Christmas tree". 2. Ecological restoration: The drought-resistant characteristics make it an ideal choice for afforestation on tropical islands, helping soil retention and carbon sink. 3. Landscape application: As a street tree or garden ornamental tree, its unique tilted posture and geometric branches constitute a signature tropical style. ⚠️ Precautions - Allergy risk: Contact with leaves may cause a strong allergic reaction. - Maintenance taboos: It is forbidden to prune the top, otherwise the growth point will be damaged and cause death; only dead branches can be removed. #summervacay #familytravel #thingstodo #myitinerary #travel