mon·key-puz·zle

(mŭng′kē-pŭz′əl)

A coniferous evergreen tree (Araucaria araucana) native to Chile and Argentina, having whorled branches covered with scalelike, overlapping, sharp-pointed leaves.

[Perhaps from the obstacle its intertwined branches would pose.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in periodicals archive

But analysis of a Peruvian mummy dating back to 1200 reveals it was embalmed with tree resin from a relative of the Monkey-Puzzle, only found in New Guinea.

Explorer all at sea

I was delighted to make my contribution to the garden by donating a Chilean monkey-puzzle tree which can grow to a height of 15 metres.

MP's monkey-puzzle treat for Vale school garden

Owners planted species from around the world: cedars, maples, welling tonias, monkey-puzzles, eucalyptus - even English beech.

Challenge to protect our alien species

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