92 



forests of Casuarina equisetifolia Forst. (Casuarinaceae) to a 

 coniferous forest is considerable. It is summed up in the common 

 name, jointed pine, which many apply to Casuarina. The 

 jointed branches with their very much reduced leaves closely 

 resemble a spray of white pine {Pimis strobus), although the 

 general appearance of the bark and the mode of branching is 

 less similar. The jointed branches ("needles") on the ground 

 and the grassy, park-like appearance of the grove furthers the 

 general resemblance. 



The habitat here occupied by Casuarina is the low sandy 

 flood plain flats along the rivers. The soil is a coarse, light- 

 colored sand, deficient in food materials. Upper flats — former 



Fig. 2. An average grove of Casuarina, showing the openness of vegetation at 

 the ground. Villar, Zambales Province, December 24, 1914. 



flood plains, but now high above the river and fire-swept each 

 year — are not occupied by Casuarina. 



The climate is severe. Six and one half months are hot and 

 very dry, while, during three of the remaining five and one half 

 months, rain is nearly continuous. The average rainfall for the 

 year is 3952 mm.* (156 inches) of which 3,771 mm. (149 inches) 

 or 95.5 per cent, falls from May through October, during the 

 period of southwest winds. 3,595 mm. (142 inches) or 91 per 



* Records furnished through the courtesy of the Philippine Weather Bureau. 



