monkey-puzzle

Also known as Pewen, Pehuen, Piñonero, Chile Pine

Monkey-puzzle trees are living fossils whose lineage stretches back over two hundred million years to the Mesozoic era. Thick, triangular, armor-like leaves completely sheath every branch, serving as an ancient defense against browsing dinosaurs. In the high Andes, these majestic conifers form dramatic umbrella-shaped canopies and yield nutritious piñón nuts that sustain Indigenous communities and forest wildlife.