Allocasuarina littoralis or Black Sheoak 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 both correct and misleading, as it will grow well both inland and in coastal zones.^[1][2]

Description

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.^[3] It is a relatively fast growing tree (up to 800mm. a year) making it very suitable for planting along roadsides. The showy red flowers appear in spring.^[1]

Range

Occurs from Cape York, Queensland, south along the coast and adjoining tablelands to the Otway Range in Victoria, and down the east coast of Tasmania to south of Hobart. Grows in woodland and occasionally in tall heath. It thrives in sandy and other poor soils.^[2]

Footnotes

External Notes

• Metro Trees, Melbourne.
• ABRS Flora of Australia Online.

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