Agathis atropurpurea


Agathis atropurpurea, the black kauri or blue kauri, is a species of conifer in the family Araucariaceae. It is found only in Queensland, Australia and is threatened by habitat loss.

Description

When the black kauri grows into a large tree, the bark is brown with loose flakes and the tree can be confused with bull kauri. Smaller trees however have a distinctive black, purple or navy blue bark which is smoother and only slightly flaky. Resin oozes out from wounds in the trunk and branches. The leaves are lanceolate with a pointed tip and fine longitudinal veins. The male cones have a short stalk and are up to long. The female cones are larger, green when young and have 90–150 scales.

Distribution and habitat

The black kauri is endemic to the coastal ranges of north east Queensland. It is typically found growing in rain forest on mountain ridges composed of igneous rocks such as granite and rhyolite at heights of above sea level. Its range extends from Mount Pieter Botte south to Mount Bartle Frere. The forest is rich in vines, ferns, mosses and bryophytes. Other trees often growing in the same area as the black kauri are the pimply ash, the quandongs, the tree heath and myrtles.

Status

The black kauri is listed as being "Near Threatened" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In places where logging is allowed its numbers have declined but it is now protected in many parts of its range. One such place where it can be seen is the Wurunuru National Park.