Eucalyptus

What does Eucalyptus look like?

Eucalyptus includes both tall trees and smaller shrubs, some reaching over 60 meters high. The bark varies greatly: it can be smooth, stringy, rough, or deeply furrowed, sometimes shedding in ribbons or flakes. Leaves are usually long, narrow, and glossy green, with oil glands that give off a strong aroma. Flowers lack petals but have many fluffy stamens in white, cream, yellow, pink, or red, and are followed by woody, cone-shaped fruits called gumnuts.

Where does Eucalyptus come from?

Most eucalyptus species are native to Australia, where they are found in every state and territory. A few species occur on islands north of Australia or in other regions. The first scientific description was published in 1789 by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle, based on a specimen collected on Bruny Island. Eucalyptus spread to other continents through plantation growing, valued for its rapid growth and useful products.

When and how Eucalyptus blooms

Eucalypts grow from seed and adapt to a wide range of climates, from coastal areas to highlands. Most are evergreen, though some tropical species shed their leaves in the dry season. The trees add new bark each year, which may peel away or accumulate, and their flowers develop a cap that falls off as the stamens expand. Eucalypts are commonly grown in plantations for timber, pulp, and oil.

How Eucalyptus is used

People plant eucalyptus for timber, paper pulp, honey, and essential oils. The aromatic leaves are a source of eucalyptus oil, used in perfumes and traditional remedies. The trees are also grown ornamentally and as windbreaks. In some places, they have been removed due to their flammability and fire risk.

Kinds of Eucalyptus

There are over 700 species of eucalyptus, ranging from shrubs less than a meter tall to the tallest flowering plants on earth. Some, like Eucalyptus regnans, reach exceptional heights. Others, such as E. vernicosa or E. platypus, are small and adapted to harsh environments. Bark and leaf forms vary widely among species.

What Eucalyptus means

Eucalypts are a symbol of Australia and feature in its landscapes and emblems. The genus name comes from Greek for 'well covered,' referring to the flower bud cap. Eucalyptus trees are important in Australian history and ecology, and some species are valued for their ornamental qualities. Their rapid growth and adaptability have made them both useful and controversial in other countries.

Where Eucalyptus is used and seen

Essential oilFragrant plant oils used for scent, flavour, and traditional remediesDomaine du RayolA botanical garden by the sea in southern France with plants from five continentsAustralian National Botanic GardensAustralia’s largest living collection of native plants in CanberraSir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical GardenA historic garden in Mauritius known for giant water lilies and rare palmsFlower gardenA garden space planted and arranged for flowering plants and seasonal bloomsBatumi Botanical GardenA vast Black Sea garden with plants from around the world and sweeping sea views

Traditions that use it

Where to see Eucalyptus

🇬🇧 London · All yearNew Covent Garden Flower Market before sunriseLondon's wholesale flower market at Nine Elms, where the city's florists buy in the dark hours and the public may walk in.

Questions people ask about Eucalyptus

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• National GeographicNational Geographic, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Eucalyptus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data