Australian pine tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Casuarine
• She-oak
• Australian beefwood
• Australian-pine
• beach casuarina
• beach she-oak
• beach-oak
• beefwoodtree
• coast she-oak
• coastal she-oak
• horsetail she-oak
• horsetailtree
• ironwood
• whistling-pine
• whistlingtree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Fagales and the family Casuarinaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Casuariina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Spain. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically documented in Italy. The species also inhabits Northern Africa, particularly in the nation of Morocco. Finally, its range includes the Macaronesian Canary Islands and parts of West Tropical Africa, such as Gambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casuarina equisetifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to coastal environments, where it is frequently found growing on beaches in sandy substrates near the high water mark, as well as within coastal bushland habitats. Due to its resilience, the species is widely planted across various maritime regions to stabilize shorelines. It occupies a broad altitudinal spectrum, ranging from sea level at 0 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 2650 m AMSL, demonstrating a significant capacity to thrive in both low-lying coastal zones and higher mountainous terrains.

Elevational range max:

2650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

beach, on sand near high water mark, also in coastal bushland, widely planted

Genetics

The genetics of Casuarina equisetifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cellular structure and reproductive biology. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of $2n = 18$, indicating a stable genomic arrangement within its cells. This genetic profile is further defined by its ploidy level, which is $2$, signifying that the plant is a diploid organism containing two complete sets of chromosomes. This consistent chromosomal makeup plays a fundamental role in the species' genetic stability and its capacity for inheritance and evolutionary adaptation.

Chromosome number :

18

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Casuarina equisetifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte classifications, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically forming significant woody growth. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, ensuring that it retains its specialized, needle-like branchlets throughout the year to facilitate continuous physiological processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Casuarina equisetifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting, independent organism. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, this tree displays significant variation in size, with a minimum height of 5 m and a maximum height reaching up to 50 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casuarina equisetifolia is characterized by specialized adaptations for efficiency and survival, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. Its vegetative structure features highly reduced, scale-like leaves that are notably diminutive, with a mean leaf length of 0.2 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm, and a width spanning from 0.03 cm to 0.1 cm. These leaves lack any significant succulence. A defining physiological trait of this species is its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, which enhances its nutrient acquisition capabilities. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a robust structural composition, evidenced by a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 859 mg/cm³.

Leaf form :

scale-like

Leaf length max:

0.3 cm

Leaf length mean:

0.2 cm

Leaf length min:

0.05 cm

Leaf width max:

0.1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.03 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

859 mg/cm³

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Casuarina equisetifolia is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproduction system where self-fertilization is absent. The plant produces red flowers arranged in a spike inflorescence, which typically measures between 0.007 m and 0.04 m in length. These flowers vary in size, with lengths ranging from 1 cm to 2.4 cm and widths between 0.9 cm and 1.3 cm. The flowering period begins in July and concludes in September. Pollination is an abiotic process primarily driven by wind syndromes. Following fertilization, the plant develops brown, nut-type fruits that are indehiscent. These fruits range in length from 0.6 cm to 2.2 cm. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a length between 6 mm and 7 mm and a mass ranging from a minimum of 0.001 g to a maximum of 0.02 g, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.002706762 g. Dispersal of the seeds is facilitated through a hydrochorous syndrome, utilizing water to spread the progeny.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

2.4 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flower width max:

1.3 cm

Flower width min:

0.9 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

2.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

nut

Inflorescence :

spike

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.007 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length max:

7 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002706762 g

Seed mass min:

0.001 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Casuarina equisetifolia has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Bacteriostatic, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Bacteriostatic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Cytotoxic

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Conditions

Casuarina equisetifolia has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cough, diarrhea, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, asthma.

Cough

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diarrhea

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Bacillus subtilis

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Staphylococcus aureus

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Asthma

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cold

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fevers

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Nausea

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Sore throat

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ulcers

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Casuarina equisetifolia has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include butanol extract, chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extract, methanolic extract, n-hexane extract.

Butanol extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chloroform extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Ethyl acetate extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Methanolic extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

N-hexane extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies