Wollemia

Wollemia is a genus of evergreen conifers in the family Araucariaceae. It contains a single living species, Wollemia nobilis, commonly called the Wollemi pine. The genus name is derived from the nearby Wollemi National Park in New South Wales, Australia, while the species epithet nobilis means noble. Wollemia represents an ancient lineage within Araucariaceae, related to other living genera such as Araucaria and Agathis, and was long known only from fossils before its rediscovery.

Discovered in 1994 by David Noble in a remote canyon of Wollemi National Park, the plant was kept confidential for several years to protect it from poaching. It was formally described as a new genus and species in 2002. In its natural habitat, Wollemia nobilis occurs in a small number of wild populations in temperate rainforest-like environments with moist, sheltered gorges.

The Wollemi pine is an evergreen conifer with a distinctive, textured bark and dark green leaves. Leaves are typically described as needle-like and arranged along twigs in two rows. The tree can grow to a substantial size under favorable conditions and produces both male and female cones. In cultivation, it is valued for its unusual appearance and its status as a living fossil.

Conservation and cultivation have been central to Wollemia since its rediscovery. Because the wild population is limited, ex situ conservation programs—along with propagation and distribution to botanic gardens and private gardens—have helped secure the species. Today Wollemia nobilis is widely grown in cultivation around the world, contributing to its continued study and awareness while reducing reliance on the remaining wild populations.