Norfolk Island pine (I'm pretty sure)

Yes, Norfolk Island pine — a tropical pine in the Araucariaceae family (so not really a pine), Araucaria heterophylla. I'm not entirely happy with the sharpness-of-focus/depth of field in this image, but all I had was my point-and-shoot camera and the the image does present the essential information that the main trunk of the tree shoots out what we would call "needles," but are called "persistent leaves."

From Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b577 » “Norfolk Island pine is an evergreen, coniferous tree that is native to Norfolk Island off the coast of Australia. In the wild, it may grow to as much as 200' tall. In St. Louis, it is grown as a container/tub plant, typically in the 3-6' tall range. Grows slowly and in proper growing conditions has a long life. It looks like a pine with horizontal needle-like branches, but it is not part of the pine genus. Synonymous with A. excelsa.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Araucaria_heterophylla&rank=binomial

This photo at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Araucariaceae_Araucaria_heterophylla_106726.html

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

1 year ago (“From Christmases past”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-12-10
2 years ago (“Sidewalk Prophets”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-12-10
3 years ago (“Bird of paradise [SOOC]”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-12-10
4 years ago (“Carried on the plane…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-12-10

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