casuarina n 1: any of various trees and shrubs of the genus Casuarina having jointed stems and whorls of scalelike leaves; some yield heavy hardwood
Casuarina \Cas`u*a*ri"na\, n. [NL., supposed to be named from the resemblance of the twigs to the feathers of the cassowary, of the genus {Casuarius}.] (Bot.) A genus of leafless trees or shrubs, with drooping branchlets of a rushlike appearance, mostly natives of Australia. Some of them are large, producing hard and heavy timber of excellent quality, called {beefwood} from its color. [1913 Webster]