Casuarina spp

Casuarina spp.

Photo Ela Beach Port Moresby. Photo credit D McCarthy.

Casuarina equisetifolia, common names Coastal Sheoak or Yar in PNG, is a she-oak species of the genus Casuarina. The native range extends throughout Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and the Pacific Islands Casuarina is an evergreen tree growing to 6–35 m (20–115 ft) tall. The foliage consists of slender, much-branched green to grey-green twigs 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) diameter, bearing minute scale leaves in whorls of 6–8. Unlike most other species of Casuarina (which are dioecious) it is monoecious, with male and female flowers produced on the same tree. C. equisetifolia is an actinorhizal plant able to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Casuarina harbours a symbiosis with a Frankia actinomycete. Casuarina wood is widely used for shingles, fencing, and is said to make excellent hot-burning firewood. Casuarina is also grown for erosion prevention, and in general as a wind breaking elements.

Port Moresby16. The avenue of Casuarina equistifolia planted along the Ela Beach roadway by civic minded H W Champion in 1917. Photo on right 2001 Ela Beach Roadway.

Photo credit Dick McCarthy.

Publication PLANIM DIWAI YAR - Grow Casuarina by the Dept. of Forests 1967 where extensive community plantings of Casuarina in the Highlands were undertaken especially for fuel wood and shelter requirements

16 White K J 1966 Trees, Shrubs and Creepers in Port Moresby Silvicultural Bulletin No 2