Allocasuarina fraseriana

Allocasuarina fraseriana
A. fraseriana suffering from Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fagales
Family:	Casuarinaceae
Genus:	Allocasuarina
Species:	A. fraseriana
Binomial name
Allocasuarina fraseriana (Miq.) L.A.S.Johnson

Allocasuarina fraseriana, commonly known as western sheoak, common sheoak or just sheoak, is a tree in the family Casuarinaceae. Endemic to Western Australia, it occurs near the coast in the south west corner of the State, from Jurien (30° S) to Albany (35° S).

In ideal conditions, Western Sheoak grows to a height of about 15 metres. Where exposed to salty coastal breezes, however, it is usually somewhat smaller. As with other Allocasuarina species, its "foliage" consists of slender green branchlets informally referred to as "needles" but more correctly termed cladodes. The cladodes are segmented, and the true leaves are tiny teeth encircling each joint.^[1] Male trees have small brown flower spikes at the end of branchlets. Flowering is prolific, giving male trees a rusty brown hue during flowering in late winter and early spring. Female trees bear small flowers on short branchlets of their own. Fertilised flowers develop egg-shaped cones from 1½ to 3½ centimetres in diameter.

Western Sheoak was first collected in 1840 by Johann Priess. The specific name fraseriana honours the botanist Charles Fraser.

Early settlers of Western Australia used sheoak timber for roof shingles. Later it was used in the construction of kegs and casks. Today, the timber is prized for its broad rays, and is often used for wood-turning and carving of decorative ornaments.

References

1. ^ Holliday, Ivan (1989). A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Melbourne: Hamlyn Australia. p. 44. ISBN 0-947334-08-4. 

• "Allocasuarina fraseriana". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=38629. 
• "Allocasuarina fraseriana". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1728. 
• Powell, Robert (1990). Leaf and Branch: Trees and Tall Shrubs of Perth. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, Western Australia. ISBN 0-7309-3916-2.