Fine Araucarian Conifer Fossil Trunk Section

Description: This is a polished trunk section of an Araucarian conifer. The genus derives its name from the Arauco Province of Chile. Its closest relatives today are the Monkey Puzzle Tree of South America, the Wollemi Pine of Australia and the Norfolk Island Pine. The genus today enjoys a disjunct distribution due to continental drift, being found in South America (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile) as well as New Caledonia, Australia, and New Guinea. The Araucariaceae had their maximum distribution during the Mesozoic, becoming extinct in North America with the passing of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous. Material of all types from the Lune River region of Tasmania are highly-prized examples of the diverse plants of this Age Of Cycads.