Monkey Puzzle Araucaria

South America just before I leave...

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April 17th 2006
Spent today at the Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens outside Sydney (it is the cool climate annexe to our Royal Botanic Gardens). Went to see some Autumn foliage and to swot up on a bit of South American flora prior to my departure next weekend. Particularly enjoyed the young Araucaria (Monkey Puzzle) tree and the Southern Beeches which have close and similar looking relatives here and in New Zealand. Phot ... read more

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Blue Mountains

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Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name... ... read more