Gymnostoma sumatranum
Encyclopedia
Gymnostoma sumatranum and the other members of this family are characterized by drooping equisetoid (meaning "to look like Equisetum") twigs, are evergreen
, and monoecious or dioecious. The roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules. The foliage of this tropical angiosperm tree looks like that of gymnosperm
pine trees which typically grow in temperate climates. Casuarina equisetifolia
(the most well-known member of Casuarinaceae
) is typified by its equisetoid appearance, whilst G. sumatranum is characterised more by its multiple rounded umbrella-shaped crowns. The stems are angular or tetrahedal in cross section (2). The stomata are not restricted to sunken grooves, (2). The female inflorescences are borne terminally (2).
species in Malaysia is Casuarina equisetifolia known as Rhu laut - laut in Malaysian means "sea" and typically it grows along the seashore on sandy substrates. In Sarawak it is a protected species (5). G. sumatranum typically grows further inland. However when occurring in coastal regions, it provides good indication that the soil is dry and out of the littoral and inundation zone since G. sumatranum will not normally tolerate sandy or boggy soil.
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
, and monoecious or dioecious. The roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules. The foliage of this tropical angiosperm tree looks like that of gymnosperm
Gymnosperm
The gymnosperms are a group of seed-bearing plants that includes conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and Gnetales. The term "gymnosperm" comes from the Greek word gymnospermos , meaning "naked seeds", after the unenclosed condition of their seeds...
pine trees which typically grow in temperate climates. Casuarina equisetifolia
Casuarina equisetifolia
Casuarina equisetifolia is a she-oak species of the genus Casuarina. The native range extends from Burma and Vietnam throughout Malesia east to French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, and south to Australia...
(the most well-known member of Casuarinaceae
Casuarinaceae
Casuarinaceae is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants placed in the order Fagales, consisting of 3 or 4 genera and approximately 70 species of trees and shrubs native to the Old World tropics , Australia, and the Pacific Islands...
) is typified by its equisetoid appearance, whilst G. sumatranum is characterised more by its multiple rounded umbrella-shaped crowns. The stems are angular or tetrahedal in cross section (2). The stomata are not restricted to sunken grooves, (2). The female inflorescences are borne terminally (2).
Habitat
In Malaysia, G. sumatranum is known as Rhu Bukit - bukit in Malaysian means "hill". The other common she-oakCasuarinaceae
Casuarinaceae is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants placed in the order Fagales, consisting of 3 or 4 genera and approximately 70 species of trees and shrubs native to the Old World tropics , Australia, and the Pacific Islands...
species in Malaysia is Casuarina equisetifolia known as Rhu laut - laut in Malaysian means "sea" and typically it grows along the seashore on sandy substrates. In Sarawak it is a protected species (5). G. sumatranum typically grows further inland. However when occurring in coastal regions, it provides good indication that the soil is dry and out of the littoral and inundation zone since G. sumatranum will not normally tolerate sandy or boggy soil.