a coniferous evergreen tree, Araucaria heterophylla (or A. excelsa), having whorled branches and needlelike foliage, widely cultivated as a houseplant.
beef·wood (bēf'wŏŏd') n.
In both senses also called Australian pine, casuarina.
Any of various Australian evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Casuarina, having jointed stems, scalelike whorled leaves, and small fruits grouped in woody conelike structures.
The wood of any of these plants, often used in construction.