TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE FAMILY CASUARINACEAE R. BR., 1814 (ORDER, FAGALES) IN EGYPT

Abstract

The taxonomic features of the Casuarinaceae family were carefully examined to determine
which characters were most trustworthy for taxonomic delimitation. Morphological
characteristics that represented habit, leaf teeth, article, phyllichnia, male spike, female cone,
samara, and seed were used in our evaluation. Fieldwork revealed that seven taxa were
present, among which four species belonged to the genus Casuarina L., 1759. On the other
hand, herbarium studies identified the previous record of three species belonging to the genus
Allocasuarina L.A.S. Johnson, 1982, nevertheless could not be found in the field. Casuarina
cunninghamiana Miq., 1848 and Casuarina equisetifolia L., 1759 were represented in Egypt
by the subspecies cunninghamiana and the subspecies incana (Benth.) L.A.S. Johnson, 1982
respectively. For each taxon, a thorough description of the family, genus, and species was
given, along with images and synonyms. Moreover, a constructed identification key to the
taxa of Casuarinaceae is included. This investigation demonstrated the significance of
morphological characteristics for taxonomic assessment among the Casuarinaceae taxa
surveyed in Egypt. The numerical analysis supported the separation of the two genera,
Allocasuarina and Casuarina.