Common Name(s): Cunningham Beefwood, River She-Oak

Synonym(s):

Family: Casuarinaceae

Native To: Eastern and northern Australia

Native Habitat: Tolerant of many conditions from warm temperate areas to dry forest zones and desert highlands

Growth Habit: Medium evergreen tree

Flowering: Small flowers form from about April to June

Distinguishing Characteristics: This medium sized tree grows to heights of 50 to 65 feet, with a straight trunk about 1 to 1 ½ feet in diameter. The bark is dark gray and fissured. The scale-like leaves are 1 to 2 inches long with 8 to 10 scales. The leaves are green to bluish green in color. The small flowers are either reddish brown or red. Flowers form from April to June in Australia, and September through December in Tucson. The flowers then produce small, globular brown cones less than ½ an inch wide.

Natural History and Cultivation Notes: This species of Casuarina was named after Allan Cunningham, en explorer and botanist in Australia. The tree is also commonly known as river she oak, she oak, and Australian pine. The species is traditionally recognized as being dioecious, which means it has seperate male and female individuals. Some of the specimens on campus however have grown both male and emale flowers. These particular specimens can potetionally represent hybrids of C. cunninghamiana and C. equisetifolia, which have been noted as readily hybridising in Florida, or possibly hermaphroditic individuals.

Ethnobotany: C. cunninghamiana is planted in some areas for erosion control along streams and other watercourses. It is also used for screening and as an ornamental. The pinkish gray to pale chocolate wood is used for furniture, flooring, shingles, tool handles, and as firewood.

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