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Glite Dictionary
Agathis australis

Agathis australis

9.9
A very tall evergreen tree from New Zealand called the kauri with straight pale wood used for building
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Agathis australis
  • Early settlers in New Zealand used Agathis australis timber for building ships and houses.

Examples

  • The majestic Agathis australis can grow over 50 meters tall.

  • The forests of Northland are famous for their ancient Agathis australis specimens towering above the canopy.

  • A huge Agathis australis stands in Waipoua Forest, drawing visitors from around the world.

  • Many builders prefer Agathis australis for its durable timber.

  • The kauri tree, scientifically known as Agathis australis, is famous for its impressive height and beautiful timber.

  • In New Zealand's forests, the majestic Agathis australis stands out with its thick trunk and towering presence.

  • Many builders prefer using Agathis australis for construction due to its durable and straight-grained wood.

Synonyms

kauri
vsAgathis australis
  • New Zealand
9.9

A tall New Zealand tree with straight, pale wood used for timber

is the scientific name used for the same species
kaury
vsAgathis australis
  • New Zealand
9.9

A very tall New Zealand tree with strong straight wood used for making furniture and ships

is the scientific name rather than the spelling variant
red kauri
vsAgathis australis
  • New Zealand
9.9

A very large New Zealand tree with shiny leaves and reddish-brown scaly bark

focuses on timber value and straight white wood rather than appearance
kauri pine
vsAgathis australis
  • Australian
9.4

A large evergreen tree from New Zealand and nearby regions valued for its strong wood and sticky resin

is the specific New Zealand species rather than many species across the genus

Surface Forms

Agathis australis singular
Agathis australes plural

Morphology

Agathis + australis

This is a standard Linnaean binomial: the genus name 'Agathis' plus the specific epithet 'australis' (Latin for 'southern') yields a species name meaning a southern Agathis. Botanical binomials are compositionally transparent—if a learner knows 'Agathis' (a conifer genus) and the sense of 'australis' as 'southern', they can infer it denotes a southern species of Agathis (here, the kauri).

Etymology

Agathis australis may come from a Greek root, Agathis, meaning 'good', and a Latin word, australis, meaning 'southern'. Early naturalists used this praise-like name for the great tree of the southern lands, so Agathis australis now refers to the tall New Zealand kauri prized for its straight, white timber.