Family: Casuarinaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Amoen. Acad. 4: 143 (1759)
Year: 1759
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Casuarina
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: India to W. Pacific
Description
Introduction
The Australian beefwood, scientifically known as Casuarina equisetifolia, is an intriguing and distinctive tree that captures the attention of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Belonging to the Casuarinaceae family, this species boasts unique characteristics and versatile uses, making it a valued plant across various regions where it thrives.
Description
Australian beefwood is characterized by its wispy, needle-like foliage which resembles the thin, segmented appearance of horsetails, lending to its other common names, such as the horsetail tree. Unlike true pine needles, its foliage is composed of jointed branchlets that carry minute, scale-like leaves. The tree can grow up to 35 meters in height, exhibiting a straight, slender trunk with rough, deeply fissured bark.
Habitat and Distribution
Casuarina equisetifolia is native to a vast area stretching from India to the Western Pacific. The tree is notably adapted to thrive in coastal environments, where it plays a crucial role in stabilizing sand dunes and protecting shorelines from erosion. Its tolerance to saline conditions and strong winds makes it an ideal candidate for such demanding habitats.
Ecological Significance
In addition to its role in coastal defense, Australian beefwood is an important ecological component in its native regions. The tree contributes to soil fertility through its unique ability to fix nitrogen, aided by symbiotic relationships with certain root-dwelling bacteria. Through this process, it enriches the soil, benefiting the surrounding flora.
Utilitarian Uses
Human cultures in the regions where Casuarina equisetifolia is found have long recognized its versatile uses. The wood of the Australian beefwood is dense and durable, making it an excellent material for timber, firewood, and even charcoal production. Its aesthetic appeal has seen it used in ornamental horticulture as well, gracing gardens and parks with its distinctive form and graceful foliage.
Historical Context
Documented in the mid-18th century, specifically in 1759 under the bibliography entry “Amoen. Acad. 4: 143,” the species was scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus, denoted by the author abbreviation “L.” This historical documentation underscores the long-standing recognition and interest in this remarkable tree.
Conclusion
The Australian beefwood (Casuarina equisetifolia) is a fascinating species with remarkable adaptability and utility. Its ecological importance, combined with its practical applications, ensures that this tree continues to be a valuable asset in both natural and human-altered landscapes. Its widespread distribution and historical significance further highlight the enduring legacy of this unique member of the Casuarinaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: australian beefwood, australian pine, australian-pine, beach sheoak, beach casuarina, beach she-oak, beach-oak, beefwoodtree, coast she-oak, coastal she-oak, common ironwood, horsetail casuarina, horsetail she-oak, horsetailtree, ironwood, whistling-pine, whistlingtree, casuarine, she-oak, south sea ironwood, beefwood, casuarina, horsetail tree
Deu: eisenholz, strandkasuarine
Msa: rhu, tui
Fra: bois de fer, filao, pin d’australie
Por: casuarina, chorão, pinheiro-da-austrália
Spa: casuarina
Swe: kasuarina
Afr: perdestertboom
En: Australian beefwood, Australian-pine, Beefwoodtree, Horsetail she-oak, Horsetailtree, Whistling-pine, Whistlingtree, Beach casuarina, Beach she-oak, Beach-oak, Coast she-oak, Coastal she-oak, Ironwood, Beach sheoak, Austrlian beefwood, Australian Pine, Horsetail casuarina, Common ironwood, Casuarine, She-oak, South Sea ironwood, Beefwood, Casuarina, Horsetail tree
Af: Perdestertboom
Ar: كازارينا كنباثية الأوراق
Az: Qatırquyruqyarpaq kazuarina
Bn: বিলাতি ঝাউ
Zh: 木麻黄
Cs: Přesličník přesličkolistý
Fi: Jouhikasuariina
Fr: Bois de fer, Pin d’Australie, Filao, Filao à feuilles de prêle
Gl: Piñeiro de Australia
De: Strandkasuarine, Eisenholz, Schachtelhalmblättrige Kasuarine
He: קוזארינה שבתבתית
Hu: Zsurlólevelű kazuárfa
Id: Cemara laut
Kn: ಗಾಳಿಮರ
Lt: Asiūklinė kazuarina
Ms: Pokok Ru, Rhu, Tui
Ml: കാറ്റാടിമരം
Fa: درخت دماسبی
Pl: Rzewnia skrzypolistna
Pt: Pinheiro-da-Austrália, Casuarina, Cavalinho, Chorão
Pt-br: Casuarina-cinzenta
Ru: Казуарина хвощевидная
Es: Casuarina, Jangli saru, Nakure, Nggaro, Nokonoko ndamu, Pino australliano, Árbol de hierro, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pino de Australia
Sw: Mvinje
Sv: Kasuarina
Tl: Aguho
Ty: Aito
Zh-tw: 木麻黃
Th: สนทะเล
To: Toa
Zh-hant: 木麻黃
Uk: Казуарина хвощеподібна
Synonyms
- Casuarina equisetifolia var. typica (Domin)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- Fiji (native)
- India (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marshall Is. (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- South China Sea (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
- Tuvalu (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Aldabra (introduced)
- Ascension (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Belize (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
- Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Gilbert Is. (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Laccadive Is. (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Line Is. (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Maldives (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Mozambique Channel I (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Senegal (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Somalia (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Wake I. (introduced)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Zaz Zza (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2021 by dominique valverde (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 31, 2021 by Estelle stamm (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2019 by menichelli ricardo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Daniel Pallas (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Skyler (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 1, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2004 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2004 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 25, 2019 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Eduard Pi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Sarami (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Niang Moussa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 4, 2020 by Hugues Ferrand (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 14, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2021 by Guardado Luis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Skyler (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2021 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Nov 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Dec 8, 2016 by Eric Leeuwerck (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2021 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Acevedo, P. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2021 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2891930)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:159856-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Casuarina equisetifolia L.)