Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
mountain she-oak
Family Name:
Casuarinaceae
Botanical Name:
Allocasuarina verticillata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
This tree is only 30 feet high and 30 feet wide (1). There are separate male and female trees. There bark is dark-grey, hard and has fissures (2). The trees crown can be erect or weeping with a low canopy (1). The crown of the tree is grey-green in color and has rounded ,drooping branchlets. The branchlets are thick with acutely keeled ribs and teeth that form in whorls (2). The male trees form yellow-brown inconspicuous flowers. While the female bears barrel shaped cone- like fruit that have sharp, mucronate valves (2).
Compound:
All ver
Geographic Origin:
Australia
Ecozone Origin:
Australasia
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Allocasuarina verticillata is native to Australia. In Australia this species naturally grows in Erye Peninsula, Tasmania, an in New South Wales (5). This plant has been distributed Honduras, and Delta Amacuro and Distrito Federal Venezuela (3).
Cultivation Notes:
Allocasuarina verticillata is not limited by the amount of nitrogen because their roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules (5). Nitrogen-fixing gives this plant an advantage to be grown in many locations. This plant is moderately drought tolerant and can regenerate it s foliage after a fire. Mountain she-oak needs well-drained, low salinity soils to grow well. This plant is very susceptible to water-logging. This plant can handle light to moderate frosts, 32°F to 23°F (0°C to -5°C). If grown in the right conditions this plant will live to about 15 years (5).
Ethnobotany:
Mountain she-oak is prized for many uses and landscaping values. This tree is planted in windy areas to create a windbreak, screen, hedge, and a shelter-belt for other species (5). The wood is used as drought fodder for live stock, fuelwood, turnery (objects made on a lathe), posts, and firewood (5).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Winter
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
