FAMILY:

CASUARINACEAE

Genus:

Casuarina

species:

equisetifolia

Common name:

Coastal She-Oak; Horsetail She-Oak

Name derivation:

Genus: like the Cassowary bird, refers to the drooping branches.

Growth habit:

Evergreen tree.

Dimensions:

5-20m x 5-10m.

Foliage:

Reduced to small scale-like teeth around the grey-green branchlets.

Flower:

Small male flowers, produced in cylindrical spikes 1-1.5cm long, female on globular spikes, on separate trees.

Fruit:

Woody cone 1-1.5cm long, sharply pointed valves, cylindrical or ovoid.

Other features:

Brown-grey polished bark. Drooping foliage.

Natural distribution:

Qld and NSW. Grows to waters (sea) edge.

Soils:

Well drained sandy.

Natural vegetation:

Tropical / subtropical coastal.

Landcare use:

Dune stabilisation and windbreaks. Low nutrient soils. Fast growing. Nitrogen fixing.

Propagation:

Seed. Large cuttings in situ.

Pests and diseases:

Locusts.