Assignment/exercise
USC Plant Profile - Casuarinaceae, Casuarina glauca
University of the Sunshine Coast
2021
Appears in UniSC Plant Profiles
Abstract
Tolerating permanently wet and saline conditions (Iplantz 2021), the Casuarina glauca grows adjacent to mangroves, saltmarshes, and brackish swamps (Melzer and Plumb 2007). It can also grow in arid conditions (Australian National Botanic Gardens 2016), and along rockeries in cold to subtropical climates with full or partial sun (Stewart 2021).
As a dioecious species, both the male and female plants produce small, brown flowers in spring, however, fruiting only occurs on the female trees after bloom (Iplantz 2021). Encapsulated by a bumpy, woody cone, singlewinged seeds are protected in valves until the cone has dried (Iplantz 2021). Initiating propagation, the seeds are released and dispersed by utilising surrounding water and wind, making colonisation effortless (Iplantz 2021).
Possessing a vital suckering habit (Melzer and Plumb 2007), the Casuarina can withstand heavy frost and fire as this spectacle to quickly resprout displays in spring (Australian National Botanic Gardens 2016). This technique also enables a dense litter layer to cover the ground, creating a sanctuary for reptiles, retaining moisture, preventing soil erosion (Australian National Botanic Gardens 2016) and deterring weed growth (Stewart 2021). Historically, its hard, durable timber has been used by humans to make fence railings, flooring and rafters (Melzer and Plumb 2007).
Details
- Title
- USC Plant Profile - Casuarinaceae, Casuarina glauca
- Authors
- Natasha Vella - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Location
- Latitude: -26.719 Longitude: 153.062; USC Sippy Downs campus, between parking bay P7A and P9.
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date collected
- 23-Mar-2021
- Date published
- 2021
- Copyright note
- © The Author. Reproduced with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99718098702621
- Output Type
- Assignment/exercise; Plant Profile Sheet
- Teaching and Learning
- ENS221; Plant Diversity and Ecology
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