dwarf sheoak

Allocasuarina humilis is an erect or spreading, dioecious or monoecious shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.2–2 m (7.9 in – 6 ft 6.7 in). Its needle-like branchlets are more or less erect, up to 120 mm (4.7 in) long, the leaves reduced to scale-like teeth 0.4–0.5 mm (0.016–0.020 in) long, arranged in whorls of five to seven around the branchlets. The branchlets are smooth and sometimes waxy. The sections of branchlet between the leaf whorls (the "articles") are mostly 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long and 0.8–1.2 mm (0.031–0.047 in) wide. Male flowers are arranged in spikes 6–18 mm (0.24–0.71 in) long, in whorls of 12 to 16 per centimetre (per 0.39 in.), the anthers 0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in) long. Flowering occurs from May to November, and the mature cones are sessile, 12–22 mm (0.47–0.87 in) long and 10–17 mm (0.39–0.67 in) in diameter containing samaras 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long with a short wing.

Allocasuarina humilis is found across southwest Western Australia, from the Murchison River in the north, to the south coast, where it extends eastwards to Israelite Bay. It grows on sand, sand over laterite, gravel, or clay.

Allocasuarina humilis adapts readily to cultivation. Versatile, it tolerates a wide range of soils, including those with some alkalinity, and prefers a sunny aspect. Tolerant of some exposure to coastal conditions, it is also planted for erosion control and as a windbreak. Unlike many Australian native plants, it is relatively tolerant of phosphates to some degree in cultivation.

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