This shrub is a short trunk with many smooth to slightly pubescent twisted branches that form a dense rounded habit. It as dark green needle-like branchlets with scale-like leaves and the brown pendent male flowers appear in a spike in late winter.

Hardiness zones 9 to 10

Allocasuarina tortiramulais naturally found in southwest Western Australia growing in a restricted part of the southern wheat belt near Newdengate, in tall heath and is listed as endangered and vulnerable. It prefers an open to expose sunny position and grows in well drained poor, red-brown sandy stony loam over granite and is tending acidic. It is frost and drought tolerant and re-grows from seed after fire.

The Twisted Sheoak is grown for its dense bushy habit and its bluish grey appearance. It is planted long garden borders as a low screen or as a specimen in a semi-arid garden preferring a Mediterranean climate. It is also grown as a bird haven and can be used in tubs or planter boxes when young. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in 3-4 years and is long-lived. This Casuarina is not commonly cultivated and may be difficult to obtain requiring a specialist nursery. ID 3774

Allocasuarina (al-low-kazh-yoo-ar-EYE-nuh) tortiramula (TOR-tee-RAM-yoo-la)

Note:
Roots of this plant have nodules that contain symbolic nitrogen fixing bacteria enabling the species to thrive in very poor soils in semi arid regions.

Casuarinaceae(KAS-ew-rin-AY-see-ee)