Architectural in its appearance, the Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) has a distinctive pyramidal, symmetrical shape and is endemic to a small island—Norfolk Island—in the Pacific.
This Araucaria genus is an ancient conifer genus that used to be more widespread throughout the earth, but was greatly reduced during the mass extinction of the dinosaurs—it is not a “pine” at all!
Despite its originally limited range, it has now become a popular tree in many countries as an ornamental tree or houseplant.
Listed as a Threatened species, it is not threatened for species survival due to its popularity under cultivation, but its native range is greatly reduced and limited to within the Norfolk Island National Park.
In the days of Captain Cook, there was interest in this tree for making ship masts, due to its tall straightness, and later as a potential lumber source; however, both of these uses were not deemed feasible and today the wood is mostly used in wood working.
The dried leaves have been investigated and found to be cheap and efficient biosorbents for toxic heavy metals, including chromium (VI) and lead.
The “pine cones” it produces resemble small pineapples and have edible seeds.
Recent research has found a promising application of the Norfolk Island Pine gum for use as a natural polymer for controlled drug delivery.
Preclinical investigation has also found the resin to be antiulcerogenic and cytotoxic against breast and colon cancer cell lines, so potential pharmaceutical applications may be developed.
In preliminary screening of the essential oil, it was identified as showing potential for application in antidiabetic cataract and Alzheimer’s disease therapies, as it was found to be an aldose reductase and butyryl choline esterase enzyme inhibitor. Preclinical investigation has also found the resin to be antiulcerogenic and cytotoxic against breast and colon cancer cell lines, so potential pharmaceutical applications may be developed.
The resin essential oil of the trunk bark was analysed and found to contain the major components of α-Copaene (10.8 %), γ-muurolene (5.8 %), α-copaen-11-ol (7.8 %), spathulenol (10.5 %), 15-copaenol (8.2 %), ylangenal (10.3 %), dehydrosaussurea lactone (7.7 %), and sandaracopimaradiene (11.4 %).
The growing of the plant indoors is also beneficial as it was identified by a NASA study to be able to purify the air and also absorb formaldehyde.
hashtag#biodiversityhashtag#MedicinalPlantshashtag#Ethnobotanyhashtag#edibleplantshashtag#pinehashtag#Norfolkhashtag#Australia