Australian fir (Araucariaheterophyll)

Australian fir is an evergreen tree; the crown is steeple-shaped and dark green. The crown epidermis is often cracked or peeled off in strips; the new epidermis has a bronze luster. The stems of Australian fir are upright, with whorled lateral branches that extend horizontally. Branchlets are alternate in two rows, extending horizontally or slightly drooping. There are two types of leaves: the leaves on saplings or side branches are diamond-shaped, curved upward, about 12 cm long, loosely arranged, and light green; the leaves on large trees or old branches are oval or triangular-ovate, about 6 cm long. , arranged closely; cones nearly round.

Australian fir likes a warm and humid environment, grows well in sunny places, and has a certain degree of shade tolerance, but it must avoid strong light exposure in summer. Not tolerant to cold and drought, it is suitable for well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam rich in humus. It is native to the southeastern coastal areas of Oceania, such as northern Australia, and is now introduced and cultivated in Guangdong and other provinces. Some cities in northern China began to introduce Australian fir bonsai in 2002.