Agathis macrophylla

Last updated

Agathis macrophylla
AgathisMacroTrees.jpg
Young trees at Auckland, New Zealand
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Araucariales
Family: Araucariaceae
Genus: Agathis
Species:
A. macrophylla
Binomial name
Agathis macrophylla
(Lindl.) Mast. (1892)
Synonyms [2]
  • Agathis brownii(Lem.) L.H.Bailey (1933)
  • Agathis longifolia(Lindl. ex Gordon) Warb. (1900), not validly publ.
  • Agathis obtusa(Lindl.) Mast. (1892)
  • Agathis vitiensis(Seem.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Drake (1892)
  • Dammara longifoliaLindl. ex Gordon (1862), not validly publ.
  • Dammara macrophyllaLindl. (1851)
  • Dammara obtusaLindl. (1851)
  • Dammara perouseiC.Moore ex Hook. (1852), not validly publ.
  • Dammara vitiensisSeem. (1868)

Agathis macrophylla known as Pacific kauri, is a coniferous tree native to the islands of the southwestern Pacific Ocean in tropical humid lowlands and lower montane regions, notably in Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Santa Cruz Islands. The Pacific kauri is one of the largest and fastest growing species in its genus, and is important in forestry. [3]

Contents

Description

Female cones of Agathis macrophylla AgathisMacroCones.jpg
Female cones of Agathis macrophylla

It is a large evergreen tree, reaching 40 m in height and 3 m in diameter. It possesses the mottled, shedding bark that is characteristic of other kauri species. Young trees are narrow and conic in shape, but begin to grow a wider, deeper canopy after attaining a trunk diameter of 30–50 cm. In mature specimens, the trunk is generally straight or slightly tapered and clear for 15–20 m before branching into a spreading canopy up to 35 m in diameter. The root system is deep and strong, and the trees are highly wind resistant.

The leaves are green and glossy, elliptical to lanceolate, 7–15 cm long and 2–4 cm wide. They are borne on short petioles and held in a decussate pairs, but twisted so they lie in one plane. Leaves in the shade, of juvenile trees, and of individuals growing in wetter regions, tend to be larger.

Male cones of A. macrophylla are elliptical and measure roughly 2–5 cm long at pollen shed. The short pollen cones help distinguish this species from related Agathis species. Female (seed) cones are globular, 8–13 cm across, and are borne on short woody stalks. The majority of the cone crop matures early to mid February, as the cones turn brown and release the winged seeds, which are small, flattened, and attached to a wing about 3.5 cm in length. Wind dispersal is very efficient; seeds have been known to travel tens of kilometres in the wind, and may even travel hundreds of kilometres during the tropical cyclones that occur frequently in the species' range.

Ecology

Foliage of Agathis macrophylla AgathisMacroLeaves.jpg
Foliage of Agathis macrophylla

A. macrophylla is one of the largest trees in its range, and occurs as a dominant emergent tree in closed, humid, lowland-montane tropical forests. Associated plant species vary from location to location, but include Cryptocarya turbinata , Ilex vitiensis , Garcinia vitiensis , Palaquium spp., and Podocarpus spp. in Vanuatu, Calophyllum vitiense , Dacrydium nidulum , Retrophyllum vitiense , Fagraea berteroana , and Podocarpus spp. in Fiji.

It is one of the fastest growing species in its genus, capable of growing 1-1.5 metres in height annually in lightly shaded to open areas, where growth is fastest. The species is fairly shade tolerant, especially in the seedling stage, though growth is slow under suppression. Strong root systems enable mature trees to withstand cyclones and seed rapidly into gaps. The species on the whole is long lived, capable of reaching ages of 300–1000 years.

Uses

A. macrophylla is a valued commercial timber species, and its wood is much sought after for many uses. The wood is a cream to gold colour (mature heartwood is a lustrous brown) and much appreciated in the timber industry, particularly as a surface veneer. The dry wood has a density of approximately 540 kg/m3.

Pacific kauri is a valuable tree throughout the southeastern Pacific (Melanesia). The timber is frequently used for house construction, canoe carving, and totem pole construction. Smoke from the resin is used as a black dye for hair, clothes and tattoos, and the leaves are used in traditional medicine. Fijians value the resin itself (known as makadre) to be used as pottery glaze and torch fuel. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Agathis australis</i> Species of conifer in the family Araucariaceae

Agathis australis, or kauri, is a coniferous tree in the family Araucariaceae, found north of 38°S in the northern regions of New Zealand's North Island.

<i>Podocarpus totara</i> Species of conifer

Podocarpus totara (; the tōtara is a species of podocarp tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows throughout the North Island, South Island and rarely on Stewart Island / Rakiura in lowland, montane and lower subalpine forest at elevations of up to 600 m.

<i>Agathis</i> Genus of conifers in the kauri family Araucariaceae

Agathis, commonly known as kauri or dammara, is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees, native to Australasia and Southeast Asia. It is one of three extant genera in the family Araucariaceae, alongside Wollemia and Araucaria. Its leaves are much broader than most conifers. Kauri gum is commercially harvested from New Zealand kauri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanuatu rain forests</span>

The Vanuatu rain forests are tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion which includes the islands of Vanuatu, as well as the Santa Cruz Islands group of the neighboring Solomon Islands. It is part of the Australasian realm, which includes neighboring New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands, as well as Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand.

<i>Nageia</i> Genus of conifers in the family Podocarpaceae

Nageia is a genus of conifers belonging to the podocarp family Podocarpaceae. Nageia includes evergreen shrubs and trees, from one to 54 meters in height. A 2009 treatment of the genus recognized five species. Some authors consider Nageia formosensis to be a separate species from Nageia nagi, thus recognizing six species. The podocarp genera have been reshuffled by various botanists. Most recently, several species formerly classed as Nageia were moved to the new genus Retrophyllum, while Nageia falcata and Nageia mannii were moved to the new genus Afrocarpus.

<i>Agathis robusta</i> Species of conifer in the family Araucariaceae

Agathis robusta, commonly known as Dundathu pine, kauri pine, Queensland kauri (pine), Australian 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 eastern New Guinea and New Britain in Papua New Guinea and Queensland, Australia.

<i>Samanea saman</i> Species of legume

Samanea saman is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, now in the Mimosoid clade and is native to Central and South America. It is often placed in the genus Samanea, which by yet other authors is subsumed in Albizia entirely.

<i>Erythrina variegata</i> Species of legume

Erythrina variegata, commonly known as tiger's claw or Indian coral tree, is a species of Erythrina native to the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern Africa, the Indian subcontinent, northern Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean east to Fiji.

<i>Afrocarpus gracilior</i> Species of conifer

Afrocarpus gracilior is a species of coniferous tree in the family Podocarpaceae known as benet in Marakwet and East African yellowwood, African fern tree, or bastard yellowwood in English

Agathiphaga is a genus of moths, known as kauri moths. and is the only living genus in the family Agathiphagidae. This caddisfly-like lineage of primitive moths was first reported by Lionel Jack Dumbleton in 1952, as a new genus of Micropterigidae.

Agathis robusta subsp. nesophila, the New Guinea kauri, is a subspecies of conifer native to the highlands of Papua New Guinea. It grows in the Eastern Highlands and Owen Stanley Range of eastern New Guinea and the highlands of New Britain at elevations of 900–1980 m. Although long known, it has only relatively recently (1980) been described as a subspecies of Agathis robusta. It is also known by the synonym Agathis spathulata. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Retrophyllum vitiense is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is a large evergreen rainforest emergent tree native to Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Santa Cruz Islands.

Agathiphaga vitiensis, or the Fiji kauri moth, is a moth of the family Agathiphagidae. It is found from Fiji to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

<i>Inocarpus fagifer</i> Species of plant

Inocarpus fagifer, commonly known as the Tahitian chestnut or Polynesian chestnut, is a species of flowering plant in the subfamily Faboideae of the legume family, Fabaceae. The tree has a wide range in the tropics of the south-west Pacific and south-east Asian regions, and a history of traditional use by the peoples of Polynesia and Melanesia. It is the only edible and culturally important member of the genus Inocarpus.

<i>Artocarpus camansi</i> Species of plant

Artocarpus camansi, the breadnut, is a species of medium-sized tree in the family Moraceae. It is native to New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the Philippines. It is the wild ancestor of the breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and is also sometimes known as the seeded breadfruit, to distinguish it from its mostly seedless descendant. Breadnut fruits are edible when cooked. The large seeds can also be roasted and eaten.

<i>Metroxylon vitiense</i> Species of palm

Metroxylon vitiense is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae, endemic to the islands of Fiji, Ovalau, and Vanua Levu in Fiji. There is only one confirmed occurrence of M. vitiense on Vanua Levu, just outside Savusavu. Despite it being considered a threatened species by the IUCN, as of February 2013 M. vitiense was still unprotected by Fijian regulations and international legislation. It has also been reported from the nearby islands of Wallis and Futuna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiji tropical moist forests</span>

The Fiji tropical moist forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Fiji and Wallis and Futuna. It covers the windward sides of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, Fiji's largest islands, as well as the smaller Fijian islands and the three islands that make up Wallis and Futuna, an overseas territory of France. The drier leeward sides of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are home to the distinct Fiji tropical dry forests ecoregion.

<i>Canarium indicum</i> Species of flowering plant

Canarium indicum, known as galip nut, is a mainly dioecious tree native in eastern Melanesia. It is usually found in rainforests, secondary forests, old garden areas, around villages and settlements. It is also used as a shade tree, as a windbreak and in agroforestry. Canarium is important in the world food system as it can be used as a food and timber source, in traditional medicine, intercropping and agroforestry.

Metrosideros vitiensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is a shrub or tree native to Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Samoan Islands.

<i>Endospermum macrophyllum</i> Species of flowering plant

Endospermum macrophyllum is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is a tree endemic to Fiji, where it grows in tropical moist forests.

References

  1. Farjon, A. (2013). "Agathis macrophylla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T34321A2852140. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34321A2852140.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Agathis macrophylla (Lindl.) Mast. Plants of the World Online . Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  3. Agathis macrophylla was previously known as A. obtusa in Vanuatu and A. vitiensis in Fiji, but these are now regarded as 'non-preferred names' (Thompson 2006:2).
  4. Keppel, Gunnar; Ghazanfar, Shahina A. (2011). Trees of Fiji: A Guide to 100 Rainforest Trees (third, revised ed.). Secretariat of the Pacific Community & Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit. pp. 54–5.

Notes