Araucaria nemorosa

Araucaria nemorosa is a species of conifer in the family Araucariaceae. It is found only in New Caledonia, an island possession of France in the South Pacific. It is mostly found as a small understory tree, typically growing to no more than 15 meters, and relatively shade tolerant, though it can also grow as an emergent from coastal scrub.

It has feathery foliage somewhat less spiky than most other Araucaria species, and is found only on serpentine soil, in coastal locations below 100m in altitude. It is threatened by habitat loss and is a critically endangered species with less than 5000 trees remaining in the wild. Low levels of genetic variation in the remaining population and consequent low germination rates of seed produced, are also a concern.

This endemic conifer occurs in humid montane forests of New Caledonia, typically growing on ultramafic soils at elevations between 400-1,200 meters. It inhabits dense rainforest canopies alongside other endemic Araucaria species in one of the world's most botanically unique ecosystems.