Casuarina
Casuarina
Casuarina (pronunciation: /ˌkæsjuːəˈriːnə/) is a genus of 17 tree species in the family Casuarinaceae, native to Australia, the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia, and islands of the Pacific Ocean.
Etymology
The name "Casuarina" derives from the Malay word for the cassowary, "kasuari", alluding to the similarities between the bird's feathers and the plant's foliage.
Description
Casuarinas, also known as Australian pine or she-oak, are evergreen shrubs or trees growing to 35 m (115 ft) tall. The foliage consists of slender, much-branched green to grey-green twigs bearing minute scale-leaves in whorls of 5–20. The flowers are produced in small catkin-like inflorescences; the male flowers in simple spikes 1–2 cm long, the female flowers on short peduncles.
Species
There are 17 species of Casuarina, including Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina glauca, and Casuarina obesa.
Uses
Casuarina species are a source of timber, firewood, and are used as ornamental trees and in forestry projects. They are also used in phytoremediation, as they can grow in saline, alkaline, and acidic soils, and have been used to rehabilitate degraded sites.
Related Terms
- Casuarinaceae: The family to which Casuarina belongs.
- Cassowary: The bird from which the genus name is derived.
- Phytoremediation: The use of plants to remove, stabilize, or break down contaminants in soil or water.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Casuarina
- Wikipedia's article - Casuarina
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