Botanical Name: Casuarina equisetifolia
Common Name: Horsetail beefwood, She-Oak Type of Plant: dicot: tree Character evergreen Habit of Growth: Overall Shape an upright, single-trunked plant, with ascending-spreading branches, forming a pyramidal canopy which becomes more irregular with age; the overall appearance resembles that of a pine from a distance Height 25'-40' (60') Spread 1/3 -2/3 Growth Rate rapid Environment: Exposure outdoors full sun required; grows poorly in shade Soil nearly any except wet, poorly drained clay locations Hardiness hardy (zones 12-24): thrives in hot desert areas Morphology: Leaves virtually absent; the needlelike "leaves" are actually small, slender, jointed green branchlets, 4"-10" long Flowers unisexual, inconspicuous, in tiny greenish-brown spikes at the ends of the branchlets; summer-fall Fruit a tiny, cone-like nut Propagation: seed, hardwood cuttings Usage: an excellent, durable tree for use as windscreens, background mass, or erosion control on slopes; has a shallow root system; is a messy tree, thus not very suitable for small-area landscape; a fine plant for water-conserving landscapes Landscape Care: Watering an occasional deep soak; the plant becomes very drought resistant and can endure long periods of neglect Fertilizing none is required Pruning thin out occasionally and remove dead wood for a more attractive appearance Pests/Diseases relatively free Special Conditions/Other Origin: Australia Family: Casuarinaceae Notes: |
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