What is she-oak?

She-oak, also known as casuarina, is a type of tree that belongs to the Casuarinaceae family. It is native to Australia but can also be found in other parts of the world such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. She-oak is a hardy tree that can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including poor, sandy, or rocky soils.

The tree is characterized by its slender branches that resemble pine needles. The leaves are actually very small scales that grow on the branch, which are green when young and turn brown as they mature. She-oak bears small, brownish-red flowers that grow in clusters on long, thin stalks. The flowers are followed by cone-like fruits that contain small, winged seeds.

She-oak has various traditional uses by Indigenous Australians. The seeds and cones were used to create a type of flour that was used to make a type of damper, while the bark was used to create a type of medicine. The wood from the tree was also used to make tools, weapons, and musical instruments. Today, she-oak is often planted as a shade tree and for erosion control. It is also used for landscaping and as a source of firewood and timber.