Eucalyptus globulus

Blue Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

Called The Blue Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), and Common eucalyptus or Tasmanian blue gum tree (English " Tasmanian Blue Gum " or " Blue Gum Eucalyptus " ), is a flowering plant in the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae ). The original area of ​​distribution is only Tasmania and southern Victoria. The Blue Eucalyptus is one of the most widely grown and known plant species whose home is the Australian continent.

  • 4.1 forestry
  • 4.2 Wood properties
  • 4.3 Use of wood
  • 4.4 Use as a medicinal plant

Description

Appearance and leaf

Eucalyptus globulus grows as a tree reaching heights of growth of 30 to 35 meters. The bark is smooth or sometimes remains at the lower part of the stem is gray with whitish spots or gray - yellow, fibrous - flaky. It has glands. In bone marrow oil glands are also available. The cotyledons are reniform.

In Eucalyptus globulus is available Heterophyllie. The oppositely arranged leaves constantly in middle-aged specimens are circular or ovate, entire, dull gray - green and have no petioles. The single-color, glossy green leaves on adult specimens are divided into petiole and leaf blade. Their petioles have a narrow flattened - or channel-shaped cross-section. The thick, simple leaf blade is narrow - lanceolate or lanceolate with bespitztem upper end and tapering Spreitenbasis. The lateral nerves are sublime.

Inflorescence and flower

Page Constantly on a wide cross-section flattened inflorescence stem is a simple inflorescence, containing one to three flowers.

The flower bud is top-shaped and blue- green flour dusted or frosted. The hermaphrodite flower is radial symmetry with a double perianth. The sepals form a calyptra, which drops early. The calyptra is conical, as long and as wide as the flower cup ( hypanthium ). Flower cups and Calyptra are ribbed or wrinkled. The flowers are white or cream-colored.

Fruit

The fruit is globose or scalloped. The disc is flat or raised. The fruit trays are at the level of the edge or protrude.

Dissemination

The Blue Eucalyptus is found naturally only in Tasmania, the south and east of the state of Victoria and southeastern New South Wales. However, he is now spread by people in almost every country and region with suitable climate, where it is often grown in large plantations.

System

The first description of Eucalyptus globulus was carried out in 1800 by the French botanist Jacques Julien de Houtou Labillardiere in Relation du Voyage à la Recherche de la Pérouse, Volume 1, p 153

From Eucalyptus globulus are four subspecies:

  • Eucalyptus globulus subsp. bicostata ( Maiden, Blakely & Simmonds ) J.B.Kirkp. ( Syn. Eucalyptus bicostata Maiden, Blakely & Simmonds, Eucalyptus globulus var bicostata ( Maiden, Blakely & Simmonds ) Ewart )
  • Eucalyptus globulus Labill. subsp. globulus ( syn. Eucalyptus gigantea Dehnh. )
  • Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii ( F.Muell. ) J.B.Kirkp. ( Syn: . Eucalyptus maidenii F.Muell, Eucalyptus maidenii F.Muell var maidenii, Eucalyptus maideni F.Muell orth var. . )
  • Eucalyptus globulus subsp. pseudoglobulus ( Naudin ex Maiden) J.B.Kirkp. ( Syn. Eucalyptus pseudoglobulus ( Naudin ) Maiden, Eucalyptus globulus var stjohnii RTBaker, Eucalyptus globulus var stjohni orth var RTBaker, Eucalyptus stjohnii ( RTBaker ) RTBaker, Eucalyptus st- johni orth var RTBaker )

Use

Forestry

The Blue Eucalyptus makes 65 percent of the planted trees in Australia. Currently, about 45,000 ha are planted as orchards. The Blue eucalyptus grows rapidly at first, about 60 to 70% of the height growth ( Depending on the location, for example, 25 m) is achieved in the first ten years. Growth in the subsequent decade decreases.

Wood properties

The wood has a pale to red-brown color and is susceptible to termites and certain types of fungi. The mature wood of Eucalyptus Blue has bulk density of about 900 kg / m³ and has good resistance to weathering (1-2 in resistance classes according to DIN 68364 ( 11-1979 ) ).

Use of wood

The wood of younger specimens can be used as industrial timber or firewood. As charcoal it burns clean and leaves little ash. In older specimens the wood quality increases, so that the wood can then also be used as lumber.

Use as a medicinal plant

Eucalyptus leaves are used as drug rarely used. Much more common is the use of pure essential oil of the plant, which is contained in the leaves to 0.5-3.5 %. The eucalyptus oil is a colorless, camphor -smelling liquid with the main ingredient cineole. Phellandrene and piperidone may be included as mucous membrane irritant substances only in traces.

After ingestion, it is excreted in part through the lungs again, where it acts expectorant, antispasmodic and antibacterial weak. It is used for colds and asthma in the form of inhalations, in nasal ointments, liniments and bath concentrates. The latter because of the local circulation-promoting effect also for rheumatic complaints.

At higher doses, the essential oil can cause itchy rashes on the skin vigorously with external application.

Overall, Eucalyptus globulus is viewed as being less toxic.

Genus Antimicrobial
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