Eucalyptus, a family of more than 800 varieties!
At Rayon de Serre, we love Eucalyptus, so we decided to tell you about this beautiful and large family…
Eucalyptus, a few facts
Sub-genus of the Myrtaceae, there were more than 800 varieties in the early 2000s!
Endemic to the Australian continent, where they dominate more than 95% of the forests, they are also known as Gum trees.
They have a wide range of adaptation mechanisms and are fast growing trees (more than 20 meters in 8 years).
The vast majority of Eucalyptus are evergreen trees. The bluish leaves of the Eucalyptus have a curious characteristic, when the tree grows, they change shape by lengthening and become shiny green. Both types of foliage coexist in the same forests, giving the impression that they are made up of different trees. These same leaves of Gum trees are often endowed with medicinal or olfactory virtues (Lemon-scented gum tree)
Giant tropical trees
Are considered small, the varieties whose specimens do not exceed 10 meters.
It must be said that the biggest ones do not hesitate to go and wander beyond 80 meters. The biggest is the Eucalyptus regnans and there, the counters go crazy! With specimens regularly flirting with 100 meters, we are talking about one of the largest trees on the planet.
In the XIX century, a specimen would have been measured at… 132 meters!
The Gum trees : what a trunk !
Ah, the trunk of the Eucalyptus !
Known for its desquamations (loss by shreds of its bark), it is very useful for the identification of the species, because it is specific to each one. Color, hardness, texture, presence of grooves … are all criteria for differentiation.
Among them, the best known and undoubtedly the most beautiful, is of course that of the Rainbow Eucalyptus.
The intrinsic qualities of their trunks, coupled with their speed of growth and their size make them the darlings of the forest industry. Paper pulp, electric poles, firewood… the applications are numerous. They have also been widely planted in Africa to fight against malaria, their leaves and fruits repelling mosquitoes (the Lemon-scented gum tree we offer is the champion in this field).
Today, they can be found in almost all environments and on all continents. This dissemination is not without problems. Indeed, not only do Eucalyptus form extremely inflammable forests, but also poor in terms of biodiversity. Thus, a 15 year old Gum trees plantation contains less than half the number of different plant species than a plantation of oak or chestnut trees of the same age.
A spectacular flowering
If their silhouette and their trunk make the reputation of Eucalyptus, we ignore too often the beauty of their flowering, which make some varieties, like our Corymbia ficifolia, spectacular ornamental trees. The flowers are very varied and are among the most beautiful exotic flowers in the world. They have many stamens which can be white, cream, yellow, pink or red. Their abundance is such that eucalyptus flowers are the most abundant source of nectar for honey production in Australia. Eucalyptus honey has a delicious taste reminiscent of salted butter toffee.
How to choose the right Eucalyptus ?
If the Eucalyptus grows very well in a pot, it is difficult to resist the temptation to plant it in your garden. Its rapid growth, deciduous foliage and easy pruning make it an excellent ally for isolating yourself from your neighbors. However, most Eucalyptus trees do not tolerate frost or only light frosts, from -3°C to -5°C; among the most resistant, the Snow Gum tree (above) is able to withstand up to about -20°C.
Among the frost-resistant Eucalyptus trees, we suggest two. The magnificent Silver-leaved mountain gum tree , which can withstand temperatures as low as –10°C. And then, wonder of wonders, we also suggest Eucalyptus sideroxylon ‘rosea’ with its spectacular pink blossoms.
