44B-3-Allocasuarina-littoralis-fem-Marilyn-Gray.jpg

Allocasuarina littoralis

Black Sheoak

Upright dark green tree with fissured bark. Trees are male or female.

Additional information

  • SynonymCasuarina littoralis
  • FamilyCasuarinaceae
  • StoreyMiddle storey
  • Size5-12 m x 2-6 m
  • Plant groupingTrees 3-25 m
  • LeavesLeaves are reduced to rings of teeth along fine branchlets. Furrows along branchlets downy. 6-8 erect teeth, not overlapping.
  • Flower colourMale - dark brown; female - red
  • Flowering timeMarch to June
  • FlowersDark brown male flower spikes 5-50 mm long at end of branchlets; female flowers stalkless, along side branches. Fruit cones to 3 cm, flattened on top.
  • Bird attractingSeeds, insects
  • Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsWell drained clay and rocky soils of open forests and woodlands within the Shire. Light frosts. Full sun, semi shade.
  • Garden useWindbreaks. Male plants are attractive in flower, fruit of female plants attract larger parrots and cockatoos. Trunks are excellent to hang epiphytic orchids.
  • Commercially availableGenerally
  • Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
  • Aboriginal Use Food - shoots and young cones; Wood - weapons
Photographer/s: Marilyn Bull ©

Plant Communities

  • 18 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 45)
  • 27 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 22)
  • 22 Silver-leaf Stringybark Heathy Woodland (EVC 48)
  • 29 Green Scentbark Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 25 Long-leaf Box Grassy Dry Forest - Southern Dandenongs (EVC 22)
  • 31 Candlebark Grassy Forest (EVC 128)
  • 26 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Middle Yarra (EVC 22)
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