She Oak (Casuarina equisetifolia)

Family: Casuarinaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Also known as Australian Pine Tree, She Oak, Shingle Oak, Coastal She Oak and Horsetail Casuarina, Common Ru or Casuarina equisetifolia is an evergreen tree that grows up to 35 m in height with trunk diameter of up to 100 cm. It is adaptable to a wide range of conditions and can be grown on poor sandy soil conditions. The root extracts of the plant are used for dysentery, diarrhoea and stomach pain.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The seeds are roasted for salt. The leaves and green fruit were chewed to stimulate salivation to quench thirst. — The seeds are roasted for salt.; The leaves and green fruit were chewed to stimulate salivation to quench thirst.

Habitat & North American Range

Confined to a narrow strip adjacent to sandy coasts, rarely extending inland to lower hills. Found on sand dunes, in sands alongside estuaries and behind fore-dunes and gentle slopes near the sea. (Zone 9)