Casuarina equisetifolia

Name and publication

Casuarina equisetifolia L., Amoen. Acad. 4: 133 (1759) [published as equisefolia, usually interpreted as a typographical error]

Description

The globose cone-like infructescence, or aggregate fruit, of the beach she-oak, 10-24 mm long x 9-13 mm diameter, is sparsely pubescent to tomentose. The fruit is actually a samara, 6-8 mm long, within the cone.

Nativity and distribution

Casuarina equisetifolia is native to India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Vanuatu.

Family

Casuarinaceae

 many fruits; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.

many fruits; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.

 fruits of different sizes; photo by Lyndon Photography

fruits of different sizes; photo by Lyndon Photography

 three fruits; photo by Christina Southwick

three fruits; photo by Christina Southwick

 fruit, close-up; photo by Christina Southwick

fruit, close-up; photo by Christina Southwick

 fruit, close-up, top view; photo by Christina Southwick

fruit, close-up, top view; photo by Christina Southwick