Eucalyptus
Flowering Tree
Eucalyptus tereticornis
Eucalyptus tereticornis has many common names including: forest red gum, bastard box, blue gum, flooded gum, grey gum,mountain gum, Queensland blue gum, red gum, red ironbark, red irongum and slaty gum. Eucalyptus is a flowering tree used in many topical products around the world but is native to Australia.
Cultivation and uses
Apart from the timber industry eucalyptus has many therapeutic uses including treating muscle pains and respiratory ailments. Eucalyptus is also used in many beauty products including hair care and lotions. Eucalyptus grows in many climates but does best in tropical to temperate climates. Eucalyptus has a high drought resistance therefore can be grown in areas of low rainfall and poor sandy soils.
E. tereticornis
Buds, seed capsules, flowers and foliage.
Koala
Eucalyptus is perhaps most famous as the diet of the Koala.
Tree
The tree grows to a height of 20 to 50 metres with a girth of up to 2 metres
Cultures
Aboriginal peoples of Australia have used eucalyptus for hundreds of years for its antibacterial and sinus clearing abilities. These people have used it medicinally for everything from childbirth to the common cold as well as fuel, building material and to make items such as the didgeridoo. As the tree was cultivated in different cultures around the world (spreading to china and the western world) Its ease of cultivation and many uses made it a valuable resource.
Essential Oils: Eucalyptus Oil