any tree of the genus Casuarina, of Australia and the East Indies, having jointed leafless branchlets: family Casuarinaceae
See also beefwood, she-oak
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from Malay kěsuaricassowary, referring to the resemblance of the branches to the feathers of the cassowary
casuarina in American English
(ˌkæʒuəˈrinə)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Casuarina) of trees of the casuarina family native chiefly to Australia, esp. a species (C. equisetifolia) with jointed, green branchlets that bear whorls of scalelike leaves; beefwood; Australian pine
adjective
2.
designating a family (Casuarinaceae, order Casuarinales) of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, having slender, drooping branches
Word origin
ModL < Malay kasuārī, cassowary: so named because the twigs are similar to the bird's feathers