Casuarina 'Cousin It' is a unique prostrate form of Casuarina glauca, featuring dense, cascading foliage that spreads over the ground, stabilizing soil and suppressing weeds. With its adaptability to various conditions and striking appearance, it is ideal for erosion control, groundcover, and feature planting in gardens.
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Native to: Prostrate forms discovered near Booderee National Park, Australia.
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Height & Spread: Grows up to 10-20 cm in height, spreading 1-2 meters wide.
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Foliage: Fine, pendulous, deep green stems forming a dense, flowing mat.
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Bark: Grey-brown, scaly, with horizontally growing stems.
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Growth Habit: Prostrate, creeping groundcover that molds over surfaces.
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Position: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
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Soil: Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions from arid to waterlogged.
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Tolerance: Highly drought-tolerant, frost-hardy, salt-tolerant, and nitrogen-fixing.
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Etymology: Casuarina derives from the Malay word kasuari, referring to its resemblance to cassowary feathers. Glauca comes from the Greek glaukos, describing its blue-green foliage. 'Cousin It' is a reference to the character 'Cousin Itt' from The Addams Family.
Detailed Description:
Casuarina 'Cousin It' is a distinctive and hardy groundcover plant, valued for its dense, cascading form and adaptability to a wide range of environments. First propagated from prostrate forms found near Booderee National Park in 1989, this selection has proven to be an exceptional performer in both natural and cultivated landscapes. Over time, it has become a favorite for suppressing weeds, preventing erosion, and creating habitat for small reptiles and invertebrates.
This selection of Casuarina glauca does not produce flowers, and its exact growth form is still not fully understood. Instead of traditional leaves, the plant features tiny, ring-like 'teeth' along the waxy, deeply grooved stems, which enable efficient photosynthesis and help the plant retain moisture in dry conditions. These adaptations make it highly resistant to coastal exposure, strong winds, and prolonged dry periods.
Casuarina 'Cousin It' thrives in a wide range of soil types, from sandy, arid soils to waterlogged conditions. It benefits from a natural symbiotic relationship with Frankia soil bacteria, which assist in nitrogen fixation, promoting healthier soil. Heavy frosts may damage the upper foliage, but the plant reliably reshoots from the stems in spring.
The dense foliage not only stabilizes soil and traps wind-blown sand but also contributes to moisture retention by forming a thick litter layer. In some regions, cultivated stems of Casuarina glauca have even been used in livestock feed due to their moderate nutritional value.
This prostrate variety is perfect for mass planting on slopes, cascading over retaining walls, or filling large garden spaces with low-maintenance greenery. It can also be grown in hanging baskets and planter boxes for a unique visual effect.
Planting Benefits:
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Aesthetic Appeal: The cascading, fine-textured foliage adds movement and a sculptural quality to landscapes.
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Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a great choice for effortless landscaping.
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Erosion Control: Sprawling, dense growth stabilizes slopes, embankments, and sandy coastal areas.
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Drought & Frost Tolerance: Handles extreme conditions, reshooting after frost damage.
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Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter for small reptiles and invertebrates.
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Weed Suppression: Dense coverage helps prevent weed growth.
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Versatility: Suitable for groundcover, embankments, rockeries, hanging baskets, and coastal gardens.
Casuarina 'Cousin It' is an exceptional plant that combines striking aesthetics with practical benefits. Whether used for erosion control, as a feature plant, or in a low-maintenance landscape, it is a resilient and visually captivating addition to any garden.
