Allocasuarina littoralis, commonly known as black sheoak, black she-oak, or river black-oak, is an endemic medium-sized Australian tree (usually up to 8 metres, but sometimes to 15 metres - coarse shrub in exposed maritime areas).[3][4] A. littoralis is named for its growth near the coast; this is somewhat misleading, as it will grow well both inland and in coastal zones.[5][6] Studies have shown that in long-time unburnt coastal woodlands, A. littoralis has replaced the original Eucalyptus-dominated woodland.[7]
This evergreen Casaurina tree is noted for its modified branchlets appearing to be leaves (5–8 cm long) and narrow width (no more than 4 mm) and the true leaves are, in fact minute (rarely larger than 1mm) and occur on the tips of the modified branchlets.[8] It is a relatively fast growing tree (up to 800mm. a year) making it very suitable for planting along roadsides. The showy red female flowers appear in spring.[5] It is usually dioecious.
The species occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania.[3] It grows in woodland and sometimes in tall heath, and it grows in sandy and other poor soils.[6]
Allocasuarina littoralis, commonly known as black sheoak, black she-oak, or river black-oak, is an endemic medium-sized Australian tree (usually up to 8 metres, but sometimes to 15 metres - coarse shrub in exposed maritime areas). A. littoralis is named for its growth near the coast; this is somewhat misleading, as it will grow well both inland and in coastal zones. Studies have shown that in long-time unburnt coastal woodlands, A. littoralis has replaced the original Eucalyptus-dominated woodland.
