The Eucalyptus Trees

The Types and Uses of Eucalyptus Species of Australia

Mar 16, 2009 Sharon Falsetto

There are many species of eucalyptus trees native to Australia; the eucalyptus tree has been used traditionally by the aborigine people but today has other uses too.

There are over 700 different species of eucalyptus; some of the more common eucalyptus species include lemon-scented eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora), broad-leaved peppermint eucalyptus (Eucalyptus dives var. Type), blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus var. globulus) and gully gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii). The Eucalyptus species are of the Myrtaceae plant family and are extremely adaptable in the event of Australian bush fires.

Lemon-Scented Eucalyptus

The lemon-scented eucalyptus tree is a tall, evergreen tree with a smooth gray, cream or pink bark; the leaves begin as oval shaped and mature to narrow, tapered leaves. The trunk of the lemon-scented eucalyptus tree is used for timber but is also cultivated as an ornamental tree. Traditionally, it has been used as an insect repellent for use with cockroaches and silverfish.

Although native to Australia, the lemon-scented eucalyptus tree is now cultivated in Brazil and China. An essential oil is distilled from the leaves and twigs and used in aromatherapy. Lemon-scented eucalyptus is also used as a fragrance component is soaps, perfumes and detergents and in room sprays and insect repellents; additionally, it is used for the isolation of natural citronellal.

Broad-Leaved Peppermint Eucalyptus

The broad-leaved peppermint eucalyptus tree is a medium sized tree with a gray bark; it has a short trunk. The leaves begin as blue and heart-shaped and mature to thick, tapered leaves which are highly fragrant. Traditionally, the aborigine people used the burning leaves of the broad-leaved peppermint eucalyptus tree as a fumigator to relieve fever.

The broad-leaved peppermint eucalyptus tree is native to the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. An essential oil is distilled from the leaves and twigs for aromatherapy purposes; it has few medicinal uses today but is found in disinfectants, deodorants, gargles and mouthwashes. It is also used for the manufacture of thymol and menthol for piperitone in solvents.

Blue Gum Eucalyptus

The blue gum eucalyptus tree is a tall, evergreen tree which grows up to 295 feet in height. Young trees have oval, blue-green leaves which mature to narrow, long yellow leaves with cream-white flowers; the bark of the mature blue gum eucalyptus tree is gray in color and sometimes covered in a white powder.

The blue gum eucalyptus tree is native to Australia and cultivated in Spain, Portugal, California, Brazil, China and Russia; the blue gum eucalyptus tree has traditionally been used in an Australian household remedy for respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and asthma. An essential oil is also distilled from the leaves and twigs of the blue gum eucalyptus tree for use in aromatherapy.

Gully Gum Eucalyptus

The gully gum eucalyptus tree is a tall tree growing up to 115 feet in height; it has long, narrow gray-green leaves and white flowers. The gully gum eucalyptus is found growing in gullies (hence its name) and in solitary spaces; it is native to the Australian states of south coastal New South Wales and eastern Victoria.

Traditionally, the gully gum eucalyptus tree has been used by Australians to treat burns, aches, pains, asthma and as an antiseptic. Australian koala bears strip the bark of the gully gum eucalyptus tree too. The tree produces an essential oil, used in aromatherapy, which is a gentler essential oil than other eucalyptus species.

Related Reading by the Same Author:

Australian Aboriginal Native Plant Use

References:

Lawless, Julia 1995 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils UK: Thorsons

The copyright of the article The Eucalyptus Trees in Botany is owned by Sharon Falsetto. Permission to republish The Eucalyptus Trees in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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