Callitris gracilis

Callitris gracilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Cupressales
Family:	Cupressaceae
Genus:	Callitris
Species:	C. gracilis
Binomial name
Callitris gracilis R.Baker

Callitris gracilis, commonly known as native pine or slender cypress pine is a conifer in the family Cupressaceae, native to southern Australia.

Description

It is a broad conical tree growing up to 20 m high.[1] The leaves are reduced to tiny structures, which clasp the flexible green stems.[2] The tiny male and female flower structures occur on the same tree, with the male flowers capable of shedding huge clouds of pollen in winter.[2] The fruit is a woody globe-shaped cone, 2.5-4 cm in diameter, with six thick segments that open at maturity to release papery-winged seeds.[3] The cones may persist on the tree for many years, and each one can hold up to 30 seeds.[4]

Stems and leaves

Taxonomy

Callitris gracilis was formerly included in Callitris preissii, but that name is now restricted to plants from the Perth area.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Callitris gracilis can be found in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.[4]

Ecology

Several species of parrot eat the maturing fruits.[2]

Uses

Indigenous people from some areas use the foliage to make infusions for the relief of coughs and colds, and to make smoke medicine.[4]

The tree was highly prized by European settlers for its straight trunk and termite-resistant wood.[2]

In cultivation they make attractive feature trees for large gardens or parks.[5] Seed should be stratified before sowing in late winter.[4] Once established, it becomes a long-lived and hardy evergreen tree.[2]

References

1. "Callitris gracilis". VicFlora. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
2. Bagust, Phil; Tout-Smith, Lynda (2010). The Native Plants of Adelaide (2nd ed.). Wakefield Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-86254-879-4.
3. Prescott, Ann (2012). It's Blue With Five Petals - Wildflowers of the Adelaide Region (2nd ed.). Ann Prescott. p. 376. ISBN 978-0-646-59298-5.
4. Bonney, Neville (2021). From One Small Seed a Forest is Born. South Australia: Neville Bonney. p. 172. ISBN 978-0-6483900-3-9.
5. "Callitris gracilis" (PDF). Urrbrae Wetland Learning Centre. Retrieved 24 June 2023.