Monkey-puzzle vs Norfolk island pine

Araucaria araucana compared with Araucaria heterophylla

Key Differences

• Monkey-puzzle is Endangered while Norfolk island pine is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Monkey-puzzle	Norfolk island pine
Kingdom same	Plantae (растения)	Plantae (растения)
Phylum same	Coniferophyta (Conifers)	Coniferophyta (Conifers)
Class same	Pinopsida (Conifers)	Pinopsida (Conifers)
Order same	Pinales (сосновые)	Pinales (сосновые)
Family same	Araucariaceae	Araucariaceae
Genus same	Araucaria	Araucaria
Species	Araucaria araucana	Araucaria heterophylla

Evolutionary Relationship

Monkey-puzzle and Norfolk island pine share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Araucaria.

Conservation Status

Monkey-puzzle

EN — Endangered

Norfolk island pine

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Monkey-puzzle	Norfolk island pine
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Monkey-puzzle

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate coniferous forests, flooded grasslands and savannas, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Algeria, Libya), Asia (Taiwan), Europe (6 countries), and South America (Brazil, Colombia). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Norfolk island pine

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, tundra, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, among 7 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles, South Africa), Asia (4 countries), Europe (Malta, Portugal), North America (United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, Marshall Islands, New Zealand), and South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇷 Brazil 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇹🇼 Taiwan