Eucalyptus regnans

Giant Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus regnans )

The giant eucalyptus (Eucalyptus regnans ), also called King eucalyptus, is a species of the genus Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus ) in the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae ). It is native to Australia.

Description

The giant eucalyptus grows as evergreen tree that can reach an age of about 400 years. The giant eucalyptus is very quickly; at preferred locations it can reach heights of growth of 65 meters in 50 years. He is considered the highest deciduous tree in the world, possibly even as the tallest tree ever. In a 1872 copy felled 132 meters height were measured. However, the highest currently living specimen " Centurion ", standing in Tasmania is "only" 99.6 meters high and significantly less than more than 110 meter high copies of the coast sequoia (Sequoia sempervirens) in California.

The giant eucalyptus forms a narrow tree crown in a straight trunk. The bark is gray and furrowed roughly to the lowest 5 to 15 meters, about rather smooth.

The leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is reddish. The simple green to gray - green leaf blade is at a length of 9 to 14 cm and a width of 1.5 to 2.5 cm lanceolate to falcate, terminating in a pronounced peak. The leaf margin is smooth.

The 9 to 15 blooms sit together in an inflorescence. The hermaphrodite flower is radial symmetry with a diameter of about 1 cm. The fruit capsules are 5-9 mm long and 4-7 mm wide.

Dissemination

The home of the giant eucalyptus located in the southeastern state of Victoria in Australia and on the island of Tasmania. He grows in cooler regions with a high annual rainfall of about 1200 mm. Its rich deposits at altitudes of up to 1000 meters

Use

The giant eucalyptus is cultivated forestry in stark extent; the holdings of remaining forest areas with old giant trees disappear rapidly by deforestation. The wood of the giant eucalyptus is used inter alia for paper production.