[f. BEEF sb. + WOOD.]
1. The timber of an Australian tree (Casuarina), so called from its red color; the tree has long, pendent, jointed, thread-like branches, without leaves, but with small sheaths at the joints.
1836. Penny Cycl., VI. 358. The timber of some species [Casuarina] forms the beefwood of the New South Wales colonists.
1880. Silver’s Handbk. Australia, 275. The beefwood … and tulipwood take a high polish.
2. Applied to various other trees, e.g., in N. S. Wales to Stenocarpus salignus; in Queensland to Banksia compar (both N.O. Proteaceæ); in Jamaica to evergreen shrubs or low trees of the genus Ardisia (N.O. Myrsinaceæ).
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 201. This tree is commonly called by the name of Beef-wood … from the fleshy colour of the interior bark.
1819. Blackw. Mag., IV. 654. Well wooded with … the Beefwood.
