Swamp-Oak

Casuarina obesa

Native to:
Australia

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Casuarinaceae
Genus:
Casuarina
Species:
Casuarina obesa
USDA Symbol:
CAOB12

Growth Characteristics

Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from lignotuber after fire; seeds also released from serotinous cones post-fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy to clayey, saline-tolerant soil
pH:
5.5 - 8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist to waterlogged
Notes:
often found in saline or brackish environments

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds benefit from hot water treatment or mechanical scarification to break seed coat dormancy; germination occurs in 2-8 weeks.