River Oak, River She-Oak
Tree to 20 Metres
Description:
Round / Conical Habit
Slightly pendulous branches
Silver-Green pine needle-like leaves
Red Female flowers in Autumn / Winter
Yellow Male flowers in Autumn / Winter
Family: Casuarinaceae
Natural Habitat: Riverene
Aspect: Full Sun
Soil/Conditions: Adaptable / Moist to Wet
Special Features:
• Bird Attracting
• Good Windbreak Plant
• Can form dense communities
• Male and Female flowers on separate plants
• Fallen needles form plant excluding mulch
• Aboriginal Food and Tool Source
Extra information:
Australian National Botanic garden – Aboriginal Plant Use Trail
Casuarina and Allocasuarina spp. (She-oaks)
The hard wood of she-oak was much used for making boomerangs, shields and clubs. In Wyrie Swamp, South Australia, archaeologists found a boomerang 10,000 years old, made from she-oak wood. Young shoots were chewed to allay thirst, and young cones were also eaten.