Allocasuarina

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Allocasuarina
Allocasuarina decaisneana.jpg
Allocasuarina decaisneana in Central Australia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Casuarinaceae
Genus: Allocasuarina
L.A.S.Johnson [1]
Type species
Allocasuarina torulosa (Aiton) L.A.S.Johnson [2] [3]
Species

61 species; see text.

Allocasuarina littoralis drawing (Edward Minchen) Allocasuarina littoralis.jpg
Allocasuarina littoralis drawing (Edward Minchen)
Allocasuarina inophloia Allocasuarina inophloia 01 Pengo.jpg
Allocasuarina inophloia

Allocasuarina, commonly known as sheoak [4] or she-oak, [5] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to Australia. Plants in the genus Allocasuarina are trees or shrubs with soft, pendulous, green branchlets, the leaves reduced to scale-like teeth. Allocasuarinas are either monoecious or dioecious, the flowers never bisexual. Male and female flowers are arranged in spikes, the female spikes developing into cone-like structures enclosing winged seeds.

Contents

The genera Allocasuarina and Casuarina are similar, and many formerly in the latter now included in Allocasuarina.

Description

Plants in the genus Allocasuarina are trees or shrubs with soft, pendulous, green branchlets, the leaves reduced to 4 to 14 scale-like teeth arranged around in whorls around ribbed, jointed branchlets. Allocasuarinas have separate male and female flowers, sometimes on one plant (monoecious), otherwise on separate male and female plants, (dioecious). Male flowers are arranged in spikes along branchlets that are usually different from the vegetative branchlets. Female flowers are in spikes on short side-branches, the female spikes later developing into cone-like structures enclosing winged seeds known as samaras, which are reddish-brown to black, with thickly woody bracteoles that extend only slightly beyond the cone body. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

The genera Allocasuarina was created out of a grouping of plants formerly placed in Casuarina, because of subtle but consistent differences – Casuarina species have 6 to 20 scale-like teeth in each whorl of leaves, their samaras are grey or yellowish-brown, and the bracteoles of the fruiting cones are thin, woody and extend well beyond the cone body. [9]

Taxonomy

The genus Allocasuarina was first formally described in 1982 by Lawrence Johnson in the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens . [2] In the same paper, Johnson transferred some species previously included in Casuarina to the new genus, and nominated Allocasuarina torulosa Aiton L.A.S.Johnson as the type species. [3] The name Allocasuarina means "other Casuarina". [10] ("Allo-" in Greek means "other".) [11]

List of species

The following is a list of Allocasuarina accepted by the Australian Plant Census and Plants of the World Online as of April 2023: [12] [13]

Distribution and habitat

Plants in the genus Allocasuarina usually grow in nutrient-deficient soils and are endemic to southern Australia, but 4 species occur in north-eastern Queensland, and one in the north of Western Australia. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Casuarina</i> Genus of trees

Casuarina, also known as she-oak, Australian pine and native pine, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Casuarinaceae, and is native to Australia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, islands of the western Pacific Ocean, and eastern Africa.

<i>Allocasuarina lehmanniana</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina lehmanniana, commonly known as dune sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to near-coastal areas of the south-west of Western Australia. It is dioecious or less commonly a monoecious shrub that has its leaves reduced to scales in whorls of six to eight, the mature fruiting cones 12–35 mm (0.47–1.38 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 4.0–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina torulosa</i> Species of tree

Allocasuarina torulosa, commonly known as forest oak, rose sheoak, river oak or Baker's oak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a slender, usually dioecious tree that has drooping branchlets up to 140 mm (5.5 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of four or five, and the fruiting cones 15–33 mm (0.6–1 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina humilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina humilis, commonly known as dwarf sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect or spreading dioecious or monoecious shrub that has its leaves reduced to scales in whorls of five to seven, the mature fruiting cones 12–22 mm (0.47–0.87 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina distyla</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina distyla, commonly known as scrub she-oak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to south-eastern New South Wales. It is a dioecious shrub that has branchlets up to 350 mm (14 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of six to eight, the fruiting cones 13–35 mm (0.51–1.38 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 4.0–8.0 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina verticillata</i> Species of plant

Allocasuarina verticillata, commonly known as drooping sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a small dioecious tree that has drooping branchlets up to 400 mm (16 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of nine to thirteen, the mature fruiting cones 20–50 mm (0.8–2 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina nana</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina nana, commonly known as dwarf she-oak or as stunted sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a low, spreading dioecious, rarely monoecious shrub that has branchlets up to 80 mm (3.1 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of four to six, the fruiting cones 14–24 mm (0.55–0.94 in) long containing winged seeds 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina paludosa</i> Species of plant

Allocasuarina paludosa, commonly known as swamp she-oak or scrub sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a monoecious or dioecious shrub that has branchlets up to 200 mm (7.9 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of six to eight, the fruiting cones 10–18 mm (0.39–0.71 in) long containing winged seeds 3.5–5.0 mm (0.14–0.20 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina paradoxa</i> Species of plant

Allocasuarina paradoxa is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to Victoria. It is a dioecious or monoecious shrub that has branchlets up to 150 mm (5.9 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of seven to eleven, the fruiting cones 13–25 mm (0.51–0.98 in) long containing winged seeds 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina dielsiana</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina dielsiana, commonly known as northern sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a dioecious tree that has more or less erect branchlets, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of six to eight, and the mature fruiting cones 14–30 mm (0.55–1.18 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina fibrosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina fibrosa, commonly known as woolly sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a dioecious shrub that has branchlets 20–50 mm (0.79–1.97 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of four, and the mature fruiting cones 11–25 mm (0.43–0.98 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina pinaster</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina pinaster, commonly known as compass bush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a prickly, dioecious shrub resembling a pine tree and that has its leaves reduced to scales in whorls of four, the mature fruiting cones 14–25 mm (0.55–0.98 in) long, containing winged seeds 10–11 mm (0.39–0.43 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina ramosissima</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina ramosissima is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a dioecious shrub with its leaves reduced to overlapping scales in whorls of five, the mature fruiting cones sessile and 9–13 mm (0.35–0.51 in) long, containing winged seeds 4.5–5.0 mm (0.18–0.20 in) long.

Allocasuarina tessellata is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a dioecious shrub or tree that has more or less erect branchlets, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of eight or nine, the mature fruiting cones 26–55 mm (1.0–2.2 in) long containing winged seeds 5.0–7.5 mm (0.20–0.30 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina trichodon</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina trichodon is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to areas along the south coast of Western Australia. It is a dioecious, rarely a monoecious shrub that has branchlets up to 300 mm (12 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of eight to ten, and the fruiting cones 15–50 mm (0.59–1.97 in) long containing winged seeds 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina muelleriana</i> Species of plant

Allocasuarina muelleriana, commonly known as slaty sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is a dioecious, rarely a monoecious shrub that has branchlets up to 120 mm (4.7 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of five to eight, the fruiting cones 14–30 mm (0.55–1.18 in) long containing winged seeds 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina monilifera</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina monilifera, commonly known as necklace sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is usually a monoecious, low-growing shrub that has branchlets up to 150 mm (5.9 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of six to nine, the fruiting cones 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long containing winged seeds 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina pusilla</i> Species of plant

Allocasuarina pusilla, commonly known as heath oak-bush or dwarf sheoak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a spreading, dioecious shrub with branchlets up to 120 mm (4.7 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of five to seven, the fruiting cones 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long containing winged seeds about 5 mm (0.20 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina rigida</i> Species of flowering plant

Allocasuarina rigida is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a dioecious shrub that has branchlets up to 330 mm (13 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of seven to ten, and the fruiting cones 8–27 mm (0.31–1.06 in) long containing winged seeds 3.0–7.5 mm (0.12–0.30 in) long.

<i>Allocasuarina robusta</i> Species of plant

Allocasuarina robusta, commonly known as Mount Compass oak-bush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of South Australia. It is a monoecious, rarely a dioecious shrub with erect branchlets up to 200 mm (7.9 in) long, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of five to seven, the fruiting cones 12–20 mm (0.47–0.79 in) long containing winged seeds about 5.5–6.0 mm (0.22–0.24 in) long.

References

  1. ↑ "Allocasuarina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Allocasuarina". APNI. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Johnson, Lawrence A. (1982). "Note on Casuarinaceae II". Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. 6 (1): 73–79. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Allocasuarina". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. 1 2 "Allocasuarina" (PDF). Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Perth Branch. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  6. ↑ Entwisle, Timothy J.; Stajsic, Val. "Allocasuarina". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  7. 1 2 Wilson, Karen L.; Johnson, Lawrence A.S. George, Alex S. (ed.). "Allocasuarina". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "Allocasuarina". State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  9. 1 2 Wilson, Karen L.; Johnson, Lawrence A.S. Wilson, Karen L. (ed.). "Family Casuarinaceae". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 286. ISBN   9780958034180.
  11. ↑ William T. Stearn (1992). Botanical Latin. History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary (4th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 367.
  12. ↑ "Allocasuarina". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "Allocasuarina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
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