There are more than 600 species of eucalyptus, with most found in the tree's native Australia and 284 appearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's database of native-growing plants. The tree has thrived in a wide range of areas thanks to its variety of uses and its tolerance of poor soil, drought and fire.
Eucalyptus Globulus
Eucalyptus globulus, known as bluegum eucalyptus, usually grows to about 180 feet with leaves 4 to 11 inches long. It is most common in California, Hawaii and its native Australia. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the bluegum is an important source of firewood in many countries, although it more commonly is used in the United States as an ornamental plant. Its oil is used in medicines due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties and also is used as flavor ingredient in foods and medicines.
Eucalyptus Cinerea
Eucalyptus cinerea, also called the Argyle apple and sold as the silver dollar eucalyptus, is a small- or medium-sized evergreen (up to 40 feet tall) with a domed canopy comprised of oval-shaped leaves that are a distinctive blue-green color. The online Fast Growing Trees Nursery calls the leaves "refreshingly aromatic" and praises the tree's aroma as a natural insect repellent. Its stiff, leaf-covered branches also are popular as interior ornamentation, with FiftyFlowers.com describing this eucalyptus as an "aromatic filler with a long vase life."
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis
According to the Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products, this large evergreen, commonly known as the redgum, is considered to be the most widely distributed eucalyptus. The redgum's durable and well-burning wood has made it a popular source of construction material and firewood. It also is used as a shelter tree to protect crops, and its oil has a variety of folk medicinal uses.
Decorative Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus leucoxylon, or yellow gum, is a popular eucalyptus among landscapers due to its long-lasting white, red or pink flowers. The Eucalyptus papuana, or ghost gum, is notable for its smooth, white bark, while the new bark of the Eucalyptus kitsoniana produces pink, brown, yellow and green colors.
Hardy Eucalyptus
While eucalyptus trees generally don't like cold climates, Eucalyptus gunnii, also known as the cider gum, can withstand temperatures in the single digits Fahrenheit. Other eucalyptus known for their hardiness are E. niphophila, E. Debeuzevillei and E. archeri.
Tall Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus regnans, also known as the mountain ash, regularly achieves heights of more than 300 feet. According to the International Society of Arboriculture Australia Chapter, the tallest reliably documented tree ever was a Eucalyptus regnans growing in Victoria, Australia, which stood 370 feet before it was cut in 1884. The U.S. Forest Service reports that some Eucalyptus globulus in California have reached heights of 260 feet.
No comments:
Post a Comment