View source for Wollemia

{{short description|Genus of conifers}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Wakehurst Place woodland Wollemi pine.jpg
| image_caption = Young tree with immature and mature seed cones and pollen cones
| status = CR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Thomas, P. |date=2011 |title=''Wollemia nobilis'' |volume=2011 |article-number=e.T34926A9898196 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T34926A9898196.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Wollemia
| parent_authority = W.G.Jones, K.D.Hill & J.M.Allen
| species = nobilis
| authority = W.G.Jones, K.D.Hill & J.M.Allen, 1995
}}

'''''Wollemia''''' is a genus of [[conifer]]ous trees in the family [[Araucariaceae]], endemic to Australia. It represents one of only three living genera in the family, alongside ''[[Araucaria]]'' and ''[[Agathis]]'' (being more closely related to the latter). The genus has only a single known species, '''''Wollemia nobilis''''', commonly known as the '''Wollemi pine''' (though it is not a true [[pine]]) which was discovered in 1994 in a temperate [[rainforest]] wilderness area of the [[Wollemi National Park]] in [[New South Wales]]. It was growing in a remote series of narrow, steep-sided, [[sandstone]] [[gorge]]s {{convert|150|km|abbr=on}} north-west of [[Sydney]]. The genus is named after the National Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wollemia nobilis: The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan – April |url=https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/annan/the_garden/Plant_of_the_Month/wollemia_nobilis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019130835/https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/annan/the_garden/Plant_of_the_Month/wollemia_nobilis |archive-date=2015-10-19 |access-date=2015-10-30 |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney]]}}</ref> 

The Wollemi pine is classified as [[critically endangered]] (CR) on the [[IUCN]]'s [[Red List]],<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> and is legally protected in Australia.<ref name="NPWS">{{Cite report |url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Recovery-plans/wollemi-pine-wollemia-nobilis-recovery-plan-060519.pdf |title=Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) Recovery Plan |date= |publisher=New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation |language=en |access-date=2018-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214034611/https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/~/media/7F576FDFDF7F4430BAA5FBC60AE01FB6.ashx |archive-date=2018-12-14 |url-status=live}}</ref> After it was discovered that the trees could be successfully cloned, new specimens were planted widely around the world in regions with mild temperate climates.

A Recovery Plan has been drawn up, outlining strategies for the management of this fragile population. The overall objective is to ensure that the species remains viable in the long term.<ref name="NPWS" /> Australian prime ministers and foreign affairs ministers have presented Wollemi pines to various dignitaries around the world.<ref name="Brack-2018">{{Cite news|last=Brack|first=Cris|date=15 June 2018|title=Wollemi pines are dinosaur trees|work=The Conversation|url=https://theconversation.com/wollemi-pines-are-dinosaur-trees-98160|access-date=23 January 2020|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407151306/https://theconversation.com/wollemi-pines-are-dinosaur-trees-98160|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although often described as a "[[living fossil]]", there are no unambiguous fossils of ''Wollemia'' and potential fossil records of it have been considered uncertain.<ref name="Seyfullah-2023" />

== Description ==

''Wollemia nobilis'' is an [[evergreen]] [[tree]] reaching {{convert|25|-|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall. The [[bark (botany)|bark]] is very distinctive, dark brown, and knobbly, quoted as resembling the breakfast cereal [[Coco Pops]].<ref name="woodford2002">{{cite book |last=Woodford |first=James |title=The Wollemi Pine: The incredible discovery of a living fossil from the age of the dinosaurs |publisher=Text Publishing |publication-place=Melbourne |date=2002 |isbn=978-1-876-48548-1 }}{{page needed|date=March 2014}}</ref> The tree [[coppice]]s readily, and most specimens are multiple-trunked or appear as clumps of trunks thought to derive from old coppice growth, with some consisting of up to 100 stems of differing sizes.<ref name="NPWS" /> The branching is unusual in that most of the side branches never have further branching. After a few years, each branch either terminates in one or a succession of [[conifer cone|cones]] (either male or female) for up to about 12 years.<ref name="NPWS"/> New branches then arise from dormant buds on the main trunk. As trees mature, side branches often turn erect and develop into secondary trunks, which then bear new sets of side branches, resulting in the multi-trunked trees in the wild population.<ref name="NPWS"/>

[[File:B5000316-Wollemi pine Wollemia nobilis .jpg|thumb|A 4-year-old potted Wollemi pine grown from cutting]]

The [[leaves]] are flat linear, {{convert|3|–|8|cm|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2|–|5|mm|abbr=on}} broad. They are arranged spirally on the shoot but twisted at the base to appear in two or four flattened ranks. As the leaves mature, they develop from bright lime-green to a more yellowish-green.<ref name="FF">{{cite web|title=wollemi pine/facts & figures|date=April 2003|publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney|url=http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine/facts_%26_figures|via=[[ARKive]]|access-date=2011-08-02|archive-date=2004-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041013034333/http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine/facts_%26_figures}}</ref> The seed cones are green, {{convert|6|–|12|cm|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5|–|10|cm|abbr=on}} in diameter, and mature about 18–20 months after [[wind pollination]]. They disintegrate at maturity to release the [[seed]]s which are small and brown, thin and papery with a wing around the edge to aid wind-dispersal.<ref name="NPWS"/> The male ([[pollen]]) cones are slender conic, {{convert|5|–|11|cm|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1|–|2|cm|abbr=on}} broad and reddish-brown in colour and are lower on the tree than the seed cones.<ref name="NPWS"/> Cone bearing starts at a young age; the trees planted at Kew in 1997 produced their first cones in 2008, when 10–11 years old.<ref>{{cite web |date=2015-09-07 |title=Wollemi Sets Seed |url=http://assets.kew.org/files/KewScientist_40Autumn2011_web.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907090937/http://assets.kew.org/files/KewScientist_40Autumn2011_web.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-07 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=assets.kew.org}}</ref> Seedlings appear to be slow-growing<ref name="NPWS" /> and mature trees are extremely long-lived; some of the older individuals today are estimated to be between 500 and 1,000 years old.<ref name="FF" />
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Wollemia nobilis apical shoot 3.jpg|Apical shoots
File:Wollemia nobilis Wolemia szlachetna 2019-07-20 05.jpg|Leaves
File:Wollemia bark.JPG|Bark
File:Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi pine) seedling.jpg|A 4 month old seedling
File:Wollemia nobilis cone.jpg|Young male (pollen) cone
File:Wollemia nobilis kz7.jpg|Female cones
File:Wollemia nobilis at Kew Gardens, July 2016.jpg|Specimen at [[Kew Gardens]]
</gallery>

== History ==
=== Discovery ===
[[File:Wollemia cones.JPG|thumb|right|Male and female ''W. nobilis'' cones]]

The discovery, on or about 10&nbsp;September 1994, by [[David Noble (canyoner)|David Noble]], Michael Casteleyn, and Tony Zimmerman, occurred only because the group had been systematically exploring the area, looking for new canyons.<ref name=woodford2002/> Noble had good botanical knowledge, and quickly recognised the trees as unusual because of the unique bark, and worthy of further investigation.

He took specimens to work for identification, expecting someone to be able to identify the plants.<ref name=NPR>
{{Cite news
 |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel
 |date=16 January 2020
 |title=Aussie firefighters save world's only groves of prehistoric Wollemi pines
 |publisher=[[NPR News]]
 |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/01/16/796994699/aussie-firefighters-save-worlds-only-groves-of-prehistoric-wollemi-pines
 |url-status=live  |access-date=2020-01-17
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418170006/https://www.npr.org/2020/01/16/796994699/aussie-firefighters-save-worlds-only-groves-of-prehistoric-wollemi-pines
 |archive-date=2023-04-18
}}
</ref>{{efn|
The discovery of the specimen's true identity, based upon knowledge of the literature on fossil remains, is similar to that of [[Gerard Krefft#The Queensland lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri)|Gerard Krefft recognising the Queensland lung fish in January 1870]].
}}
His specimens were identified as new by Wyn Jones, a botanist with National Parks and [[Jan M. Allen|Jan Allen]] from the Botanical Gardens. After the identification was made, National Parks then went under a veil of secrecy, with the discoverers not learning the full magnitude of their discovery for about six months. National Parks came close to damaging the stand when a helicopter used to collect cones inadvertently pruned one of the pines with its rotor.<ref>
{{cite web
  | title =The Wollemi Pine — a very rare discovery
  | publisher =[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney]]
  | url =http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine
  | access-date =2007-02-08
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050323093506/http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine
  | archive-date = 2005-03-23
}}</ref> The species was subsequently named after David Noble.<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=''Wollemia nobilis''
 |department=Growing native plants
 |series=[[Australian National Botanic Gardens]]
 |website=www.anbg.gov.au
 |publisher=[[Parks Australia]]
 |quote=Derivation of the name: ''Wollemia nobilis'' ... ''nobilis'' – The species epithet is a tribute to [[David Noble (canyoner)|David Noble]] who discovered the first stand of Wollemi Pines on an abseiling trip in 1994.
 |url=https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2004/wollemia-nobilis.html
 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-17 |lang=en-AU
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713180403/https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2004/wollemia-nobilis.html
 |archive-date=2023-07-13
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
 |last=Barba |first=Eduardo
 |date=17 September 2022
 |title=David Noble y ''Wollemia nobilis'': la sorpresa de encontrar un árbol desconocido para la ciencia
 |newspaper=[[El País]]
 |place=Madrid, ES
 |quote=En honor de [[David Noble (canyoner)|David Noble]] se le dedicó el epíteto de la especie, nobilis.
 |lang=es
 |url=https://elpais.com/estilo-de-vida/2022-09-17/david-noble-y-el-wollemia-nobilis-la-sorpresa-de-encontrar-un-arbol-desconocido-para-la-ciencia.html |access-date=2022-09-17
 |url-status=live
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713180426/https://elpais.com/estilo-de-vida/2022-09-17/david-noble-y-el-wollemia-nobilis-la-sorpresa-de-encontrar-un-arbol-desconocido-para-la-ciencia.html
 |archive-date=2023-07-13
}}
</ref>

The first illustrations of the Wollemi Pine were drawn by David Mackay, a botanical artist and scientific illustrator who was working at the [[Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney|Royal Botanic Gardens]] in Sydney when the species was discovered.<ref>
{{cite news
 |title=David Mackay
 |date=2009-02-08
 |magazine={{small|New England}} Focus
 |place=Armidale, NSW, AU
 |url=http://newengland.focusmag.com.au/david-mackay/
 |via=newengland.focusmag.com.au
 |access-date=2017-12-20  |lang=en-AU
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104944/http://newengland.focusmag.com.au/david-mackay/
 |archive-date=2017-12-22
}}
</ref>

Further study would be needed to establish its relationship to other conifers. The initial suspicion was that it had certain characteristics of the 200&nbsp;million year-old family [[Araucariaceae]], but was not similar to any living species in the family. Comparison with living and [[fossil]]ised Araucariaceae proved that it was a member of that family, and it has been placed into a new genus, beside the genera ''[[Agathis]]'' and ''[[Araucaria]]''.

Fewer than 60&nbsp;adult trees are known to be growing wild in four locations, not far apart. It is very difficult to count individuals, as most trees are multi-stemmed and may have a connected root system. [[Genetic testing]] has revealed that all the specimens are genetically indistinguishable, suggesting that the species has been through a [[genetic bottleneck]] 10,000–26,000&nbsp;years ago, in which its population became so low (possibly just one or two individuals) that all [[genetic variability]] was lost.<ref>{{cite report
 |last1=Stevenson |first1=Dennis Wm.          |last2=Ramakrishnan |first2=Srividya
 |last3=Alves     |first3=Cristiane de Santis |last4=Coelho      |first4=Laís Araujo
 |last5=Kramer    |first5=Melissa             |last6=Goodwin     |first6=Sara
 |last7=Ramos     |first7=Olivia Mendevil     |last8=Eshel       |first8=Gil
 |last9=Sondervan |first9=Veronica M.         |last10=Frangos    |first10=Samantha
 |last11=Zumajo-Cardona |first11=Cecilia      |last12=Jenike     |first12=Katherine
 |last13=Ou       |first13=Shujun             |last14=Wang       |first14=Xiaojin
 |last15=Lee      |first15=Yin Peng           |last16=Loke       |first16=Stella
 |last17=Rossetto |first17=Maurizio           |last18=McPherson  |first18=Hannah
 |last19=Nigris   |first19=Sebastiano         |last20=Moschin    |first20=Silvia
 |last21=Little   |first21=Damon P.           |last22=Katari     |first22=Manpreet S.
 |last23=Varala   |first23=Kranthi            |last24=Kolokotronis |first24=Sergios-Orestis
 |last25=Ambrose  |first25=Barbara            |last26=Croft       |first26=Larry J.
 |last27=Coruzzi  |first27=Gloria M.          |last28=Schatz      |first28=Michael
 |last29=McCombie |first29=W. Richard         |last30=Martienssen |first30=Robert A.
 |display-authors=6
 |year=2023
 |title=The genome of the Wollemi pine, a critically endangered "living fossil" unchanged since the Cretaceous, reveals extensive ancient transposon activity
 |type=preprint
 |pmid=37662366 |pmc=10473749
 |doi=10.1101/2023.08.24.554647
 |url=https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.24.554647v1.full
 |access-date=2023-09-15 |url-status=live
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916150916/https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.24.554647v1.full
 |archive-date=2023-09-16
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
 |title=Mystery of 'living fossil' tree frozen in time for 66&nbsp;million years finally solved
 |website=[[Live Science]]
 |date=15 September 2023
 |url=https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/mystery-of-living-fossil-tree-frozen-in-time-for-66-million-years-finally-solved
 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-09-15
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915123330/https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/mystery-of-living-fossil-tree-frozen-in-time-for-66-million-years-finally-solved
 |archive-date=2023-09-15
}}
</ref><ref name=Molecular_Ecology_2003>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Peakall |first1=Rob        |last2=Ebert   |first2=Daniel
 |last3=Scott   |first3=Leon J.    |last4=Meagher |first4=Patricia F.
 |last5=Offord  |first5=Cathy A.
 |year=2003
 |title=Comparative genetic study confirms exceptionally low genetic variation in the ancient and endangered relict conifer, ''Wollemia nobilis'' (Araucariaceae)
 |journal=Molecular Ecology
 |volume=12  |issue=9  |pages=2331–2343
 |doi=10.1046/j.1365-294X.2003.01926.x
 |s2cid=35255532   |pmid=12919472
 |bibcode=2003MolEc..12.2331P
}}
</ref>

=== Conservation ===

==== Threats ====
In November 2005, wild-growing trees were found to be infected with ''[[Phytophthora cinnamomi]]''.<ref name="ABC_Nov_2005">{{cite news |last=Salleh |first=Anna |date=4 November 2005 |title=Wollemi pine infected by fungus |website=abc.net.au |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2005/11/04/1497961.htm |series=Science articles |access-date=20 September 2012 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327162752/http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2005/11/04/1497961.htm |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite news |date=4 November 2005 |title=Fungus threatens wild Wollemi pines |website=abc.net.au |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-11-04/fungus-threatens-wild-wollemi-pines/2139064 |series=News |access-date=2012-09-20 |archive-date=2016-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923135133/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-11-04/fungus-threatens-wild-wollemi-pines/2139064 |url-status=live }}</ref> New South Wales park rangers believe the virulent [[water mould]] was introduced by unauthorised visitors to the site, the location of which is still undisclosed to the public.<ref name=ABC_Nov_2005/>

The grove of Wollemia trees was endangered by fire during the [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season#Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury|2019–2020 Australian bushfire season]].<ref name="SMH-hannam2020">{{cite news |last=Hannam |first=Peter |date=15 January 2020 |title=Incredible, secret firefighting mission saves famous 'dinosaur trees' |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/incredible-secret-firefighting-mission-saves-famous-dinosaur-trees-20200115-p53rom.html |access-date=8 February 2024 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327162733/https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/incredible-secret-firefighting-mission-saves-famous-dinosaur-trees-20200115-p53rom.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They were saved by specialist firefighters from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, supported by the Rural Fire Service who installed an irrigation system as well as dropping [[fire retardant|retardant.]]<ref name="NPR" /><ref name="SMH-hannam2020"/><ref>{{cite news
 |last=Morton
 |first=Adam
 |date=15 January 2020
 |series=Dinosaur trees
 |title=Firefighters save endangered Wollemi pines from NSW bushfires
 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]
 |edition=Australia
 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/15/dinosaur-trees-firefighters-save-endangered-wollemi-pines-from-nsw-bushfires
 |access-date=22 January 2020
 |archive-date=4 June 2023
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604174414/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/15/dinosaur-trees-firefighters-save-endangered-wollemi-pines-from-nsw-bushfires
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |first=Rod
 |last=Mcguirk
 |date=2020-01-16
 |agency=AP
 |title=Australia firefighters save world's only rare dinosaur trees
 |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Chronicle]]
 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Australia-firefighters-save-world-s-only-rare-14979496.php
 |access-date=2020-01-16
 |archive-date=2020-01-16
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116130752/https://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Australia-firefighters-save-world-s-only-rare-14979496.php
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
 |title=Hemmelig aksjon reddet forhistorisk skog fra brannene i Australia
 |trans-title=Secret action saves prehistoric forest from the fires in Australia
 |date=2020-01-16
 |publisher=NTB
 |lang=no
 |url=https://www.nationen.no/nyhet/hemmelig-aksjon-reddet-forhistorisk-skog-fra-brannene-i-australia/
 |access-date=2020-01-16
 |archive-date=2020-01-16
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116092232/https://www.nationen.no/nyhet/hemmelig-aksjon-reddet-forhistorisk-skog-fra-brannene-i-australia/
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>

=== Global involvement in conservation ===
[[File:Wollemia_Nobilis_Trautmannsdorf_Merano_2018.jpg|thumb|''Wollemia nobilis'' in the botanical garden of [[Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens]] in [[Merano]], Italy in 2018]]
"Home gardeners become accidental citizen scientists for Wollemi Pine" was the headline of a 2023 news article reporting results of an unusual conservation strategy underway since 2005.<ref name="physorg-2023">{{cite news |last1=Wild |first1=Andrea |title=Home gardeners become accidental citizen scientists for Wollemi Pine |url=https://phys.org/news/2023-07-home-gardeners-accidental-citizen-scientists.html |publisher=Phys.org |date=28 July 2023 |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907164956/https://phys.org/news/2023-07-home-gardeners-accidental-citizen-scientists.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ten years after safeguarding of rooted branch cuttings had been initiated in botanic gardens around the world, commercial growers were authorized to receive surplus cuttings to propagate for sales to their own customers. This unusual management decision for an endangered plant owed to the "huge public interest in this rare tree" and as an experiment to test whether commercial availability would serve "to protect wild populations from illegal collecting."<ref name="physorg-2023" />

Results were tallied from more than 1,500 people from 31 countries who were growing the cuttings and responded to an online survey created by two plant scientists in Australia.<ref name="offord-2023">{{cite journal |last1=Offord |first1=Catherine A |last2=Zimmer |first2=Heidi C |title=Home gardens contribute to conservation of the critically endangered Wollemi Pine: Evaluation of a botanic garden-led horticultural release programme |journal=Plants People Planet |date=26 July 2023 |volume=6 |pages=116–127 |doi=10.1002/ppp3.10410 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Results indicated that the species grows well where climate is [[temperate]] and there is adequate year-round rainfall. [[Loam|Loamy soils]] with good drainage proved to be ideal. The team concluded, "This study demonstrates that it is feasible to establish Wollemi pines in many parts of the world and under different climates and cultural regimes, which can help conserve this species in the face of climate change and other threats."<ref name="offord-2023" />

== Cultivation and uses{{anchor|Cultivation}}{{anchor|Uses}} ==
[[File:Wollemia nobilis sapling.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cultivated ''Wollemia nobilis'']]
A propagation programme made Wollemi pine specimens available to botanical gardens, first in Australia in 2006 and subsequently throughout the world. It may prove to be a valuable tree for ornament, either planted in open ground or for tubs and planters. In Australia, potted native Wollemi pines have been promoted as a Christmas tree.<ref name=acf>{{cite web
 |title=Tips for treading lightly this festive season
 |date=2010-12-01
 |website=ACFOnline.org.au
 |publisher=Australian Conservation Foundation
 |url=http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=3256
 |access-date=2010-12-19
 |archive-date=2011-09-26
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926223154/http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=3256
 }}</ref> It is also proving to be more adaptable and cold-hardy than its restricted [[temperate]]-[[subtropical]], humid distribution would suggest, tolerating temperatures between {{convert|-5|and|45|C|F|abbr=on}}, with reports, from Japan and the United States, that it can survive down to {{convert|-12|C|F|abbr=on}}. A grove of Wollemi pines planted in [[Inverewe Garden]], Scotland, believed to be the most northerly location of any successful planting, have survived temperatures of {{convert|-7|C|F|abbr=on}}, recorded in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Jurassic tree survives big chill in trust garden
  | publisher = [[BBC]]
  | date = 2010-11-01
  | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8452506.stm
  | access-date = 2010-01-13
  | archive-date = 2023-03-27
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230327163334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8452506.stm
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> It also handles both full sun and full shade. Like many other Australian trees, ''Wollemia'' is susceptible to the pathogenic water mould ''[[Phytophthora cinnamomi]]'', so this may limit its potential as a [[timber]] tree.<ref>
{{cite web |title=Wollemi Pine research – fungal associations & pathogens |url=http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine/research_projects?p=424 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050501202059/http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine/research_projects?p=424 |archive-date=2005-05-01 |access-date=2007-02-08 |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney]]}}
</ref>

The [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney|Royal Botanic Gardens]] in Sydney has published information on how to grow Wollemi pines from seed harvested by helicopters from the forest trees. The majority of seeds that fall from the cone are not viable so need to be sorted to retain the plump and dark ones. These can then be sown on top of seed raising mix and watered. Once the water has drained through the mix, the pot should be placed in a plastic bag and refrigerated for two weeks. After this, the pot should be removed from the plastic bag and placed somewhere warm but not very sunny until the seed germinates (remembering to keep them moist but not wet). This could take several months.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=How to grow your Wollemi pine
 |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney]]
 |url=https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/our-work-discoveries/germplasm-conservation-horticulture/wollemi-pine-conservation-program/wollemi-pine-faqs/how-do-i-grow-my-wollemi-pine
 |access-date=1 May 2016
 |archive-date=13 July 2023
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713151817/https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/our-work-discoveries/germplasm-conservation-horticulture/wollemi-pine-conservation-program/wollemi-pine-faqs/how-do-i-grow-my-wollemi-pine
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>

=== Care ===
The Wollemi pine is extremely hardy and versatile in cultivation. Despite it being an endangered species, it is easy to grow and requires relatively low maintenance. It will adapt to a diverse range of climatic zones, thriving in full sun to semi shaded outdoor positions. They can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely, and make good container plants for patios, verandas, and courtyards. Because it tolerates air conditioning, it can also be used as an indoor decorative plant. They require well-drained soil and protection from frost.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Taking care of a Wollemi pine
 |publisher=Kernock Park Plants Ltd.
 |url=https://www.wollemipine.co.uk/acatalog/CareInformation.html
 |access-date=10 March 2021
 |archive-date=13 July 2023
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713180508/https://www.wollemipine.co.uk/acatalog/CareInformation.html
 |url-status=live
 }}</ref>

=== Growth rate ===
The growth rate is fairly fast in good conditions, with the tallest reliably measured cultivated specimen being one planted in 2009 in Finistère, France, which had reached 8.1&nbsp;metres tall when 14 years old in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | title=Wollemia 'WOLLEMIA NOBILIS' pizzeria la pergola in Kerleon, Finistère, France | website=Monumental trees | date=2012-06-29 | url=https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/fra/finistere/carhaixplouguer/4233_pizzerialapergola/ | access-date=2025-08-29}}</ref>

== Phylogeny ==
The genus ''Wollemia'' shares morphological characteristics with the genera ''[[Araucaria]]'' and ''[[Agathis]]''. ''Wollemia'' and ''Araucaria'' both have closely crowded sessile and amphistomatic (producing stomata on both sides of the leaf) leaves, and [[Glossary of leaf morphology#aristate|aristate]] bract scales, while ''Wollemia'' and ''Agathis'' both have fully fused bracts, ovuliferous scales, and winged seeds.<ref>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Jones  |first1=W.G.
 |last2=Hill   |first2=K.D.
 |last3=Allen  |first3=J.M.
 |year=1995
 |title=Wollemia nobilis, a new living Australian genus and species in the Araucariaceae
 |journal=Telopea
 |volume=6  |issue=2–3  |pages=173–176
 |doi=10.7751/telopea19953014 |doi-access=free
|bibcode=1995Telop...6..173J
 }}
</ref> Scrutiny of the fossil record likewise does not clarify ''Wollemia''{{'s}} relationship to ''Araucaria'' or ''Agathis'', since the former has similarly disparate leaf characters in its adult and juvenile forms, and the latter has similar cone characters.<ref>
{{cite journal |last1=Chambers |first1=T. Carrick |last2=Drinnan |first2=Andrew N. |last3=McLoughlin |first3=Stephen |date=January 1998 |title=Some morphological features of Wollemi pine (''Wollemia nobilis: Araucariaceae'') and their comparison to Cretaceous plant fossils |journal=International Journal of Plant Sciences |volume=159 |issue=1 |pages=160–171 |doi=10.1086/297534 |jstor=2474948 |bibcode=1998IJPlS.159..160C |s2cid=84425685}}
</ref> Further, the recent description of several extinct genera within the Araucariaceae points to complex relationships within the family and a significant loss of diversity since the Cretaceous.<ref>
{{cite journal |last1=Cantrill |first1=David J. |last2=Raine |first2=J. Ian |date=November 2006 |title=''Wairarapaia mildenhallii'' gen. et sp. nov., a new Araucarian cone related to ''Wollemia'' from the Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) of New Zealand |journal=International Journal of Plant Sciences |volume=167 |issue=6 |pages=1259–1269 |doi=10.1086/507608 |bibcode=2006IJPlS.167.1259C |s2cid=85365035}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite journal |last1=Dettmann |first1=Mary E. |last2=Clifford |first2=H. Trevor |last3=Peters |first3=Mark |year=2012 |title=''Emwadea microcarpa'' gen. et sp. nov. – anatomically preserved araucarian seed cones from the Winton Formation (late Albian), western Queensland, Australia |journal=Alcheringa |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=217–237 |doi=10.1080/03115518.2012.622155 |bibcode=2012Alch...36..217D |s2cid=129171237}}
</ref> An early study of the [[rbcL]] gene sequence places ''Wollemia'' in the basal position of the Araucariaceae and as the sister group to ''Agathis'' and ''Araucaria''.<ref>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Setoguchi |first1=Hiroaki          |last2=Osawa  |first2=Takeshi Asakawa
 |last3=Pintaud   |first3=Jean-Christophe  |last4=Jaffré |first4=Tanguy
 |last5=Veillon   |first5=Jean-Marie
 |date=November 1998
 |title=Phylogenetic relationships within Araucariaceae based on ''rbcL'' gene sequences
 |journal=American Journal of Botany
 |volume=85  |issue=11  |pages=1507–1516
 |pmid=21680310  |jstor=2446478  |doi=10.2307/2446478  |doi-access=free
 }}
</ref> In contrast, another study of the rbcL sequence shows that ''Wollemia'' is the sister group to ''Agathis'', and ''Araucaria'' is basal.<ref>{{cite journal
 |last1=Gilmore
 |first1=S.
 |last2=Hill
 |first2=K.D.
 |year=1997
 |title=Relationships of the Wollemi pine (''Wollemia nobilis'') and a molecular phylogeny of the Araucariaceae
 |journal=Telopea
 |volume=7
 |issue=3
 |pages=275–291
 |doi=10.7751/telopea19971020
 |doi-access=free
 |bibcode=1997Telop...7..275G
 }}</ref> The different outgroup selection and genes used in previous studies are the reasons behind the discrepancy over the groupings of the three genera.<ref name="Liu, N. 2009">
{{cite journal
 |last1=Liu  |first1=Nian            |last2=Zhu    |first2=Yong
 |last3=Wei  |first3=Zongxian        |last4=Chen   |first4=Jie
 |last5=Wang |first5=Qingbiao        |last6=Jian   |first6=Shuguang
 |last7=Zhou |first7=Dangwei         |last8=Shi    |first8=Jing
 |last9=Yang |first9=Yong            |last10=Zhong |first10=Yang
 |year=2009
 |title=Phylogenetic relationships and divergence times of the family Araucariaceae based on the DNA sequences of eight genes
 |journal=Chinese Science Bulletin
 |volume=54 |issue=15 |pages=2648–2655
 |bibcode=2009SciBu..54.2648L  |doi=10.1007/s11434-009-0373-2 |doi-access=free
}}
</ref> Later genetic studies corroborate ''Wollemia''{{'}}s placement in the Araucariaceae as sister to ''Agathis'' based on data from the 28s rRNA gene,<ref>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Stefanović |first1=Saša      |last2=Jager   |first2=Muriel
 |last3=Deutsch    |first3=Jean      |last4=Broutin |first4=Jean
 |last5=Masselot   |first5=Monique
 |date=May 1998
 |title=Phylogenetic relationships of conifers inferred from partial 28S rRNA gene sequences
 |journal=American Journal of Botany
 |volume=85  |issue=5  |page=688
 |pmid=21684951  |jstor=2446539  |doi=10.2307/2446539 |doi-access=free
 }}
</ref> a combination of rbcL and [[Maturase K|matK]] genes,<ref>
{{cite journal
 |first1=C.J.  |last1=Quinn
 |first2=R.A.  |last2=Price
 |first3=P.A.  |last3=Gadek
 |year=2002
 |title=Familial concepts and relationships in the conifer, based on ''rbcL'' and ''matK'' sequence comparisons
 |journal=Kew Bulletin
 |volume=57  |issue=3  |pages=513–531
 |jstor=4110984  |doi=10.2307/4110984 |bibcode=2002KewBu..57..513Q
 |s2cid=83816639
 }}
</ref> and a comprehensive study encompassing nuclear ribosomal 18S and [[26S rRNA]], chloroplast 16S rRNA, rbcL, matK and rps4, and mitochondrial coxl and atp1 genes.<ref name="Liu, N. 2009"/>

Below is the [[phylogeny]] of the [[Araucariaceae]] based on the consensus from the most recent [[cladistic analysis]] of molecular data. It shows the relative positions of ''Wollemia'', ''Agathis'', and ''Araucaria'' within the division.
{{clade|style=line-height:100%;
 |label1=''[[Pinales]]''
 |1={{clade
    |1={{clade
       |1=''[[Araucaria]]''
       }}
    |2={{clade
       |1=''Wollemia''
       |2=''[[Agathis]]''
       }}
    }}
 }}

=== Potential fossil record ===
There are no fossils that can be assigned definitively to ''Wollemia. [[Araucarioides]]'' leaves possibly representing ''Wollemia'' or a close relative have been reported from the Early [[Eocene]] of Tasmania. Some authors have suggested that the fossil pollen genus ''[[Dilwynites]]'', known from the [[Late Cretaceous]]-[[Pliocene]] of Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia and Antarctica is assignable to ''Wollemia'', however, the pollen of ''Wollemia'' is highly variable, and its similarity to ''Dilwynites'' has been questioned, with ''Dilwynites'' also closely resembling the pollen of some species of ''Agathis''. It is therefore possible that ''Dilwynites'' pollen represents that of other araucarian conifers as well as possibly also ''Wollemia''.<ref name="Seyfullah-2023">{{Cite journal |last1=Seyfullah |first1=Leyla J. |last2=Coiro |first2=Mario |last3=Hofmann |first3=Christa-Ch. |date=February 2023 |title=In situ pollen diversity in the relict conifer Wollemia nobilis |journal=Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology |language=en |volume=309 |article-number=104816 |doi=10.1016/j.revpalbo.2022.104816|bibcode=2023RPaPa.30904816S |s2cid=254332797 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== See also ==
* ''[[Gasteranthus extinctus]]'', a species of plant believed to have gone extinct until it was rediscovered in 2022

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{ARKive attribute}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikispecies}}

* {{cite iucn |author=Thomas, P. |date=2011 |title=''Wollemia nobilis'' |volume=2011 |article-number=e.T34926A9898196 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T34926A9898196.en |access-date=12 November 2021}} Listed as Critically Endangered (CR D v2.3)
* {{cite web |title=The Wollemi Pine – a very rare discovery |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney]] |url=http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine |access-date=2007-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050323093506/http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/wollemi_pine |archive-date=2005-03-23}} (includes facts and figures, ecology, biology)
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050525063832/http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/plants/wollemipine.html Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew's web page about the "Wollemi pine"]}}
* [http://wollemipine.com/ WollemiPine.com]
* [http://www.conifers.org/ar/wo/index.html Wollemia nobilis] at the Gymnosperm Database
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4531805.stm BBC News item] 10 May 2005
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/6201616.stm BBC News – 'Dinosaur trees' heavily guarded] – 02/12/06
* [http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1471653.htm ABC-TV Gardening Fact Sheet]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1371627.htm ABC-TV Science visits Wollemi Pines in the wild] 19 May 2005
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070905075700/http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/_Recovery_Plan_Wollemi_Pine.pdf Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) Recovery Plan], January 2007
* {{cite news | first=Matthew | last=Warren | title=Biologist takes axe to the 'myth' of Wollemi | date=16 April 2007 | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/biologist-takes-axe-to-the-myth-of-wollemi/story-e6frg6nf-1111113340564 | work =The Australian | access-date = March 4, 2014}} {{Dead link|date=October 2025}}
* [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/1902727.htm The Wollemi Pine] Transcript of interview on ''The Science Show'' (April 2007) with [[Tim Entwisle]], then director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.
* [http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/content/westonbirt/#wollemia Images and information about the Wollemi Pine in Westonbirt Arboretum]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121023110403/http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2006/09/19/presentsamajorbotanicalfindofthecenturylivingfossilwollemipineavailableforthefirsttimeinnorthamerica/ Wollemi Pine available for first time in North America] from National Geographic.
{{Acrogymnospermae classification}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q12981878|from2=Q190510}}

[[Category:Araucariaceae]]
[[Category:Monotypic conifer genera]]
[[Category:Critically endangered flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
[[Category:Pinales of Australia]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Trees of mild maritime climate]]
[[Category:Taxa described in 1995]]
[[Category:Extant Turonian first appearances]]