The Brazilian Pine, referred to just as Araucária (arr-ah-roo-CAR-ee-ah) by Brazilians, is a critically endangered species of the araucaria tree native to Brazil. There are other similar-looking species to found in the mountainous regions of Chile and Argentina. But the one you see here is unique to south and southeast Brazil.
Stretching forever into the sky, when you first see an araucária you may think you're being greeted by an alien species. They can grow to over 100 ft tall and have long curving branches that curve up toward the sun. From these brances, puffs of fur (actually pine needles/cones) seem to explode out like a Dr. Seuss creation.
I was a giddy to be honest. I had seriously never seen a plant like it with my own eyes before. It makes you feel very small and also makes you consider just how many unique looking plants there are hiding in different parts of the world.
The tree is native to southern and southeastern Brazil. It occasionally stretches into northern Argentina and parts of Paraguay. This kind of area is often referred to as "sub-tropical" where there is still plenty of rain but it is less hot than tropical areas.
