Casuarinaceae

Casuarina — from Malay Kasuari, from the fancied similarity of the foliage to the drooping feathers of the Cassowary (bird).

cunninghamiana — after Allan Cunningham (1791-1839), pioneering botanist, inland NSW.

Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana

Closely related to C. glauca, which has larger cones and coarser foliage (not in region).

Medium-sized tree, 15-35 m high, drooping branchlets (in vigorous specimens). Fast-growing, long-lived, improves soil fertility (nitrogen fixing).

Permanent freshwater streambanks, often dominant. Tolerates frost, cold, and slight salinity. Prefers 300 – 500 mm rainfall in the Riverina.

Collect in early autumn before seed shed. Refrigerate stored seed. Germinates easily in 2-5 weeks (optimum 30°C) from untreated seed. Direct sow into pots, prick out seedlings soon after germination. Inoculate with crushed root nodules from parent trees. Regenerates from seed, suckers, and coppice. Protect seedlings from livestock.

Excellent medium to high-level windbreak cover. Protects streambanks from erosion, may form colonies through suckering. Provides habitat and food for birds, good pollen source. Excellent fuelwood, burns hot and evenly. Timber used for ornamental turning, historically for shingles and staves. First Nations used wood for canoes and shelters. Attractive ornamental, suitable for orchid cultivation. Useful drought fodder. Leaves produce various dyes.