Eucalyptus coccifera
Mt. Wellington Peppermint
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Eucalyptus genus in the family Myrtaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Genus
- Eucalyptus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 15 m
- Spread
- 6 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Citronellal, an essential oil found in most Eucalyptus species is reported to be mutagenic when used in isolation[8]. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation[8]. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount[8]. Symptoms include gastroenteric burning and irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, oxygen deficiency, ,weakness, dizziness, stupor, difficult respiration, delirium, paralysis, convulsions, and death, usually due to respiratory failure[8].
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Olive-green and gold dyes are obtained from the leaves[5]. An excellent fuel, it is similar in quality to ash, Fraxinus excelsior[2].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Fuel
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- Australia - Tasmania.
- Habitat
- Mountains to 1200 metres[11].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse[3][12][4]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[6]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in June, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[6].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[6]. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements[6]. Tolerates dry soils and also drought once it is established. A very wind hardy tree[1][9][10], tolerating salt-laden winds[6]. Plants are very frost resistant[9][11], tolerating long periods down to -10°c and short periods down to -16°c[6]. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant[6]. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[6]. A very ornamental tree, it grows very well in Britain as far north as the west of Scotland[3]. The leaves are extremely aromatic[7]. Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock[7]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[3]. Plants are subject to 'silver leaf' disease[2]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[6]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Brooker. M. I. A Key to Eucalypts in Britain and Ireland. HMSO 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710192-3
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00
Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00
Kelly. S. Eucalypts. (2 volumes.) Nelson, Melbourne 1969-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00