Callitris preissii
Rottnest Island Pine
Rottnest Island Pine
Wikipedia links: Gymnosperms > Cupressales > Cupressaceae > Callitris preissii
Other links:
Common name: Rottnest Island Pine
Also, Murray pine, maroong, southern cypress pine, or slender cypress pine
The Noongar peoples know the tree as marro
Conservation status: . . .
Etymology:
The name ‘callitris’ is derived from the Greek calli (meaning beautiful) and treis (meaning three), because their scale-like leaves are in whorls of three
Cones and seed:
It starts producing brown-yellow-orange cones between October and January
Leaves:
The leaf is rounded on the dorsal side and the cones often have a width of over 2 cm
With scales that do not separate from the base
Stem & branches:
Roots:
The root system is generally moderate to deep or shallow and spreading
Habit:
The pine can have a tree or shrub-like habit typically growing to a height of 1 to 9 m and a width of up to 6 m
It is relatively slow growing
The crown is commonly made up fine, dense foliage
It is reasonably long lived, usually to over 15 years of age
Habitat:
it is found on plains, slopes, the margins of salt lakes and among granite outcrops growing in sandy, loamy or clay soils
Distribution:
Endemic to Rottnest Island, Australia
It is endemic to the Swan Coastal Plain, Rottnest Island and Garden Island
Has become naturalised elsewhere and now has a scattered distribution throughout the Mid West, Wheatbelt, Peel, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions
Additional notes:
Uses
The plant makes a good windbreak or as a shelterbelt or shade for stock
The trunks make ideal fence posts and it has good ornamental attributes
The plant's pollen has value for apiculture
In urban areas it makes a good ornamental plant, or as a free street tree and is suitable as a screen or hedge
Sources of information: