The eucalyptus , is the kind Eucalyptus , are trees of the family of the indigenous Myrtaceae in Australia and Tasmanie, and whose certain species, in particular E. globulus , were introduced in Europe, where they acclimatized themselves very well on the Mediterranean shores and to the Portugal, country in which immense forests of eucalyptus were planted for the production of paste with Papier. The tree was also planted in North Africa, in particular in Algérie, with the Morocco and in Libya. One also meets it with Madagascar and the Réunion, with the Sri Lanka, in South Africa or California.

Description

Cut and port

An adult eucalyptus can, according to the species, to be presented in the form of a small bush or a tree of very big size.

One with the practice to say for the eucalypti which they are:

  • small if they measure less than 10 meters in height
  • of intermediate size between 10 and 30 meters
  • large between 30 and 60 meters
  • very large with the top of 60 m (certain species reach 90 meters in height)

One speaks about " forest tree" , d'" tree of forêt" for the trees with single trunk with a foliar summit occupying the final part of the trunk.

One speaks about " woodland tree" , d'" tree of the bois" , for the trees with single trunk but whose branches start to appear at a short distance above the ground.

" Hammers out s" are trees which have already several stems resulting from the ground and which measure less than 10 meters in height; generally they carry bouquets of vegetation at the end of the small branches. They can be assembled in more or less dense thickets and these thickets bear also the name of " mallees".

The Buisson S correspond to the smallest eucalypti, of a size of less than 4 meters. This type of vegetation forms Maquis.

A " mallet" is a tree of small or average size (see with the top), with the branches upwards pointing, sometimes grooved at the base and with a dense summit. It is generally the case species of Eucalyptus occidentalis, E. astringens, E. spathulata, E. gardneri, E. dielsii, E. forrestiana, E. salubris, E. clivicola and E. ornata. The smooth bark often has a glossed aspect and can be white, cream-coloured, gray, green or coppers.

A " Marlock" (term used in Western Australia) is a tree of small size, with the drawn up port and the " tronc" very fine, not lignified.

Sheets

The majority of the eucalypti are with persistent sheets but some tropical species lose their sheets at the end of the dry season. Like the other family members of the Myrtaceae, the sheets of eucalyptus are covered with glands with oil. The abundant production of oil is an important characteristic of this kind.

The Sheet S, bluish, have a curious characteristic: on the young trees, they are opposite, sessile and oval and glaucous, but thereafter they become alternate, petiolate, very lengthened, curved sometimes a little like blades of forgery and a shining green. The two types of foliage cohabit in the same forests, giving the impression which one does not have business with the same trees.

However there exist many exceptions to this diagram. Many species like E. melanophloia and E. setosa keep all their life the type of sheets of the young trees. E. macrocarpa, E. rhodantha and E. crucis are cultivated as decorative plants because they keep their youthful sheets a long time. E. petraea, E. dundasii and E. lansdowneana have sheets of a green shining during all their existence. E. cesiums makes the opposite of the others: its first sheets are brilliant whereas the others are glaucous. This duality is used in the classification of the eucalypti.

Flowers

The flowers are very varied. They have very many cheesecloth S which can be white, cream-coloured, yellow, pink or red. At the beginning, cheesecloths are locked up in a case closed by a cover (from where the name of Eucalyptus of the Greek have: well and kaluptos: cover) formed by the petals and/or the sepals. When cheesecloths grow, they raise the cover and are spread out to form the flower.

The flowers of eucalyptus constitute the most important source of nectar floral for the production of Miel in Australia.

Fruits

The dry fruits are in the shape of cone and have valves which are raised to let escape the seeds. The majority of the species do not flower until the appearance of the adult foliage. Two notable exceptions: Eucalyptus cinerea and Eucalyptus perriniana.

Acclimatization

Introduced to Morocco and in many countries of Europe, the eucalyptus, which fears the strong frosts, easily adapted to the Mediterranean climate and the microclimate which reigns in the Basque Country, not without impacts on the local biodiversity. One in particular planted it in wetland to drain the grounds. Its fruits and/or its sheets are considered to move away the insects. The eucalyptus can push on average mountain up to 1000 meters of altitude. Great industry groups planted several million hectares of the species E. globulus for the manufacture of paper pulp.
Il was planted in a certain African area to drive out the mosquitos which transmitted frightening diseases to the local populations. One had an excellent result, not by a repulsive effect but because its strong requirements out of water made it possible to drain the marshes and thus to prevent the reproduction of the mosquitos, but with a new risk: forest fires.

Principal species

There would be approximately 600 species different of eucalyptus. The university of Nouvelle England counts 454 for its part of them (of which some subspecies), which is already not badly. Only some were introduced in Europe, the most known species being the following ones:
  • Eucalyptus globulus : blue Gommier.
  • Eucalyptus camaldulensis : red Gommier.
  • Eucalyptus radiata : Eucalyptus erased.
  • Eucalyptus regnans : largest of the Eucalypti
  • Eucalyptus smithii : Eucalyptus of Smith.
  • Eucalyptus will citriodora : citronné eucalyptus. to see: Corymbia citriodora

Properties

In addition to the properties announced higher, the eucalyptus is known for its virtues on the breathing apparatus, due especially to the cinéol (or Eucalyptol) contained in the sheets. It is recommended in Phytothérapie to look after the Bronchite S, the Toux, the Rhume S or the Sinusite. One can make of them Fumigation S, Infusion S or Décoction S, or buy it in the form of essential Huile or of gélules. One makes also cigarettes with the eucalyptus, sold as being supposed to fight against the Asthme.

Confectionery

The eucalyptus is used in Confiserie mainly in the chewings gum with the Menthe. It is also used in manufacture of pastilles or pastes contributing to alleviate the evils of throat.

Displacement taxonimic

  • Eucalyptus will citriodora , the citronné eucalyptus, to see: Corymbia citriodora .

External bonds

  • Herb teas and old remedies: The Eucalyptus

Photo gallery

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