Eucalyptus

Origin: Australia

Family: Myrtaceae
Scientific Name: Eucalyptus spp

Folk Names: Gum tree, iron bark, or stringy bark (depending on bark type)

Selected Varieties:

Magical

Element: Water
Moon Phase: New moon
Day: Wednesday
Planet: Pluto
Zodiac: Cancer

Parts Used: Leaves, gum, essential oil

Magical Properties: Health, cleansing, protection, clarity, exorcism, insight, hex-breaking

Magical Uses:

Substitutions: Melaleuca, camphor, lavender

Aromatherapy

Main species used: Blue gum (Eucalyptus globules) and Lemon-scented gum (Eucalyptus citriodora)

Part Used: Leaves
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Flash Point: 44°C

Perfume Note: Top/middle
Scent Type: Woody, citrus (l)
Scent Description: Camphoraceous, woody, and minty; with lemon/citronella tones (l)

Active Constituents: Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole)

Aromatherapeutic Uses

Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and helps with congestion and mild respiratory issues.

Warnings:

Medicinal

Medicinal Properties:

Active constituents: Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole)

Medicinal Uses:

Indigenous Medicinal Uses (of various species):

Warnings:

Practical

Eucalyptus is a popular plant for timber, as they’re highly resistant to decay, as well as paper production, charcoal, and cellulose extraction (eg for making bio-glitter and bio-fuels).

They are also commonly used for essential oil, dye, as windbreaks, to reduce erosion, and to lower the water table.

Eucalyptus is also frequently used in cleaning, both in commercial cleaning and laundry products, and as a solvent for removing grease and sticky residues.

Indigenous Uses:

Beauty

Botanical

There are over 700 species of Eucalyptus, in the tribe Eucalypteae (which contains 100-ish other species in another 6 genera)most of which are native to Australia.

Type: Evergreen trees, mallees, or shrubs
Plant size: Up to 100m
Bark: Can be either smooth, fibrous, hard, or stringy
Leaves: Glossy or waxy green lance-shaped leaves, which generally hang downwards
Flowers: Petals/sepals form a cap (operculum) which detaches to reveal ‘flowers’ of numerous fluffy stamens - usually in white, cream, yellow, pink, or red
Fruit: Woody, cone-shaped “gumnuts”, which open to release narrow, 1mm-long, yellow-brown seeds

Etymology: The name Eucalyptus is derived from the Greek words eu (“well”) and kalypto (“to cover”), referring to the operculum covering the flower buds.

The common name “gum tree” refers to the excessive kino/gum they exude when the bark is broken.

In the Garden

Type: Shrubs/trees
Light: Bright light
Water: Drought-tolerant
Soil: Well-draining

Tips: