Casuarina equisetifolia L., Amoen. Acad. 4 (1759)

Synonyms
Casuarina africana Lour.
Casuarina brunoniana Miq.
Casuarina equisetifolia var. souderi Fosberg
Casuarina excelsa Dehnh. ex Miq.
Casuarina indica Pers.
Casuarina lateriflora Poir.
Casuarina litorea L. ex Fosberg & Sachet
Casuarina littorea Oken
Casuarina littorea var. souderi (Fosberg) Fosberg & Sachet
Casuarina mertensiana Rupr. ex Miq.
Casuarina repens Hoffmanns.
Casuarina truncata Willd.

Description
Mid-canopy trees up to 40 m tall and 100 cm dbh. Twigs needle-shaped with scale-like leaves, very similar to horsetails in appearance. Inflorescences catkin-like, female ones developing into cones up to 2.5 cm long, with winged seeds.

Ecology
Mainly found on beaches or near the coast on sandy soils up to 20 m altitude. Currently often planted more inland as well.

Uses
The timber is used for house construction but is also an important charcoal source. A decoction of the twigs is used as a lotion to soothe swellings. The powdered bark is used to treat pimples. Often planted for its wood, as erosion control tree, or as wind break.

Distribution
India to the Pacific and Australia. In Borneo found throughout the island near the coast.

Local names
Borneo: Aru, Kayu rhu, Rhu laut.