Casuarina equisetifolia L.

Spice Male flower In the University

Family: CASUARINACEAE

Genus: Casuarina

Catalan common name: Casuarina de cua de cavall.

Spanish common name: Casuarina. Pino australiano.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Australiana

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Garden plants. Gardens.

Description: A tree that can reach 30-35m high with a pyramidal crown; it has a straight trunk with rough, cracked bark. From afar it can be mistaken for a pine tree. The apparently acicular leaves which can be seen by the naked eye are really small branches which take on the role of leaves as far as photosynthesis is concerned. The real leaves are small scales (6-8) arranged in the knots of these small branches, and need a magnifying glass to be seen.

Observations: It can withstand being near to the sea and poor, saline soils.