Casuarina cunninghamiana aka Beefwood

Taxonomy

Genus Casuarina Family Casuarinaceae Order Fagales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Casuarina cunninghamiana, also known as river oak, river sheoak or creek oak, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Casuarinaceae family and is native to Australia and New Guinea. This tree has fissured and scaly bark, and sometimes drooping branchlets. Its leaves are reduced to scales in whorls of 6 to 10, and its fruit measures 7-14mm in length, containing winged seeds (samaras) 3-4mm long. River Sheoak is commonly found across much of Eastern Australia, along freshwater rivers and streams, from southern New South Wales to northern Queensland and inland for up to 400km. This species has a moderate to deep root system that develops a thick mat, making it excellent for erosion control. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. River Sheoak is also a great option for screening and can be easily pruned or coppiced. Under cultivation, it can tolerate drought, seasonal waterlogging, and slight to moderate salinity. As a houseplant, River Sheoak is rare and needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers abundant sunlight and should be placed less than 3 feet from a window.

Common names

Beefwood, River Sheoak, Cunningham's Beefwood, Creek Oak, Fire Oak

How to care for Beefwood

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Beefwood due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Beefwood should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

Beefwood thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Cunningham's Beefwood.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Region of origin

Beefwood’s native range is Australia - New South Wales, Northern Territories, Victoria.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Casuarina Genus

Casuarina glauca Brazilian Oak

Casuarina equisetifolia Beach Sheoak

Casuarina oligodon

Casuarina cristata Black Oak