Jhaun
Casuarina equisetifolia
📖 About this plant
Casuarina equisetifolia (coastal sheoak or ‘Jhaun’ in Odia, also called Casuarina) is a large evergreen tree of the Casuarinaceae family. The tree bears needle-like cladodes (modified stems that look like pine needles) and cone-like fruits — giving the tree a conifer appearance despite being a flowering plant. The tree fixes nitrogen through symbiotic actinomycetes in root nodules. Wood is hard and used for fuelwood, charcoal, and construction. The tree is extensively planted for coastal afforestation, windbreaks, and erosion control.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun
Regular; moderately drought-tolerant
Moderate
15-38°C
Well-draining loam
Compost annually
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Indian Subcontinent
- 📏 Max height
- 10-20 m
- 📐 Spread
- 4-6 m
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White-yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 40+ years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic
Common issues
- Leaf spot
- caterpillar defoliation
💡 Care tips
- Plant in well-draining soil with appropriate light.
- Tolerates Indian tropical conditions.