Araucaria cunninghamii var. papuana Lauterb.

Bark, particularly of younger plants, dark plum to red-brown, weathering on older plants to gray or blackish. Juvenile leaves up to 23-27 mm long, even on ultimate branches, contrasting sharply with Australian material: where planted side by side the Australian seedlings have leaves no more than half as long. Generally reported to be slightly bigger and more vigorous (trees 50-70 m, pollen cone 9-10 cm long, seed cone 7-12 by 6-8 cm). Pollen cones produced in the middle part of the mature tree and seed cones in the upper part.

Emergent in rain-forests from 60—2745 m in a variety of rain-forest soils usually along ridges, but occasionally in swampy conditions, most often in the submontane oak forest. The higher elevation occurrences are in the more southerly part of New Guinea. Vigorous regeneration has been noticed in abandoned gardens and on old burn sites confirming that A. cunninghamii is a pioneer tree and a nurse for the invasion of rain-forest. On the other hand lumbering, fire, pigs, and agriculture all contribute to the destruction of natural stands.

Uses. The same as for A. hunsteinii, with which it often grows. The heartwood is difficult to distinguish from the sapwood.