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The Norfolk island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) belongs to the family Araucariaceae. It is a tall evergreen tree that is endemic to Norfolk Island, located approximately 1700 km east of Australia. It grows slowly but reaches a height of 50 to 60 m. The trunk is erect, with five branches extending almost horizontally or slightly obliquely to form a hierarchy. Four to seven twigs are arranged in a regular whorl. Young leaves are soft, needle-shaped, and 1 to 1.5 cm long. It is usually dioecious, but may be monoecious. The fruit is a cone, 12 to 14 cm in diameter, which breaks open when ripe to release nut-like seeds.
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