Eucalyptus globulus Labill.
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Eucalyptus globulus Labill.
Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)TasmaniaTasmanian Blue Gum |
December Photo
Plant Characteristics:
Tall tree attaining 300 ft., widely grown for ornament and timber, the bark
deciduous in long strips or sheets and leaving the trunk smooth grayish or
bluish-white; lvs. lanceolate,
those on the young shoots opposite, sessile, cordate and usually glaucous-white;
fls. large, about 1.5 in. across, solitary or 2-3 together, sessile or on
short, flattened peduncles; calyx-tube and lid hard and warty, covered
with bluish-white wax, the lid conical in center, shorter than calyx-tube; fr.
angular, .75-1 in. across, the broad flat-topped rim projecting but the flat
valves not exserted.
Habitat:
Mediterranean, or subtropical climates.
Different species are naturally adapted to our coast, coastal hills,
valleys, deserts, with or without irrigation.
Drought tolerance is common to most species. (Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984. 286).
E. globulus is most common
eucalypt in California. Very aromatic. Magnificent
windbreak but too messy, greedy, and brittle for garden or city street.
Needs deep soil and plenty of room.
Best on coastal slopes, poor in deserts.
Blooms winter and spring. (Sunset
Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984. 289).
Name:
Eucalyp-tus, from Greek eu,
true and calyptra or lid, referring to the sepals and petals which are united
to form a cap. (Bailey 727).
Globulus, old substantive name meaning little globe, here used in apposition. (Bailey 728).
Eucalyptus, true lid, as the
petals and sepals are fused to form a lid or cap that is shed when the bloom
opens. The caps are abundant under
the trees. (John Johnson).
General:
This small tree when found in Big Canyon in June 1990, was too immature to
produce fls. and therefore could not be identified.
In December 1992 there were a few blooms and identification was possible.
A number of specimens of E.
globulus are found at the tops of the bluffs where they have been planted by
home or apartment owners but this is the first specimen I have found near the
bottom of the bluffs. (my
comments). Eucalyptus
are the most widely planted non-native trees in California and Arizona.
For several hundred miles in parts of California you never lose sight of
a eucalypt. The first ones were
planted in California in 1856. From
1870 on, they were widely planted for windbreaks, firewood, shade, and beauty.
From 1904 to 1912, thousands of acres were planted in an ill-advised
hardwood timber scheme. (Sunset
Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984. 286).
The Sunset Editors give the height of E.
globulus as 150 to 200 ft., which is more in keeping with the trees I have
seen. Bailey says 300 feet and Hutchens says the tallest known specimen was 322
ft. The Irvine Ranch used E.
globulus extensively for windbreaks in its orchards; they were messy, tended
to rob nearby fruit trees of water and nutrients and after lengthy rains would
be toppled by heavy winds. Even
with these problems, the trees as a windbreak, probably saved the ranch money as
they protected the orange trees from Santa Ana winds which could blow a lot a
fruit off an orange tree in a short period of time.
(my comments).
After it was introduced to California in the nineteenth century, the
Cahuilla Indians, inhabitants of the Colorado Desert, the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains, used the leaves in
steam treatments to cure colds. The
leaves were boiled in water and the patient held his head over the bowl.
A blanket was then placed over the patient, who inhaled the steam to
relieve sinus congestion. (Bean & Saubel 73).
The oil of eucalyptus is used in unguents for colds, and in some cough
drops and syrups. Vicks Vapo-rub
does, or used to have, oil of eucalyptus as one ingredient. (John Johnson).
Eucalyptus tea made from good, aromatic young leaves is sure to induce
sweating, stimulate kidney function, and inhibit microorganisms in the bronchial
and sinus mucosa. (Moore, Medicinal
Plants of the Desert and Canyon West 56).
The leaves and bark are very useful in fevers, and acute and chronic
bronchitis in its various forms, asthma, and similar ailments.
(Kloss 174).
The oil is an effective deodorizer and disinfectant.
Its efficiency depends chiefly upon its antiseptic properties, which are
extremely potent, though quite safe. (Hutchens
90).
Text Ref:
Bailey 727; Sunset Editors, New
Western Garden Book 1984, 286.
Photo Ref:
June 90 # 11A,12A; Dec 92 # 10; Dec 92-April 93 # 3.
Computer Ref:
Plant Data 404.
Identity by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.
Have plant specimen.
Last edit 3/11/03.
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December Photo