Swamp She-Oak
Tree to 10 Metres
Description:
Round / Conical Habit with slightly pendulous branches.
Silver-Green pine needle-like leaves. Red Female flowers in Winter / Spring and Yellow Male flowers in Autumn / Winter
Natural Habitat: Tidal Wetlands
Aspect: Full Sun / Semi-Shade
Soil/Conditions: Adaptable / Moist to Wet
Special Features:
• Male and Female flowers on separate plants
• Seeds attract Black Cockatoos
• Tolerates drier sites
• Fire Resistant Plant
• Fallen needles form plant excluding mulch
• Aboriginal Food and Tool Source
• Early Settlers used timber for fence rails
Garden Styles:
- Gardening for Biodiversity
- Birds and Butterflies
- Bush Food Garden
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.