Callitris gracilis

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

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

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]