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.