Eucalyptus dumosa
Water Mallee
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
- 7 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[11]. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation[11]. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount[11]. 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[11].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A sweet manna-like substance is produced upon the leaves of the tree, it is made into a delicious drink[7]. One report says that it is the secretion of an insect[8], and thus is unlikely to be produced in Britain[K]. The bark of young roots is baked and eaten. It is said to be rather sweet, resembling malt in flavour[3][6][7].
- Plant part
- Sap
- Product or use
- Manna
- Plant part
- Root
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves contain over 1% essential oil[4][5]. This oil has a strong scent of camphor and is more pure than the oil of most other Eucalyptus species[10]. The wood is too small to be used commercially. However, it is used as a fuel[5].
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Fuel
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
- Habitat
- Desert areas[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 10+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, drought
- Wind
- 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[1][13][2]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[9]. 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[9].
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[9]. Tolerates poor and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements[9]. A drought tolerant plant once it is established[9], it succeeds in pure sand[12]. This species is unlikely to be very cold-tolerant, though it might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain. 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. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions[9]. 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[9]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[9]. 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[10]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[1]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[9]. The bruised leaves have a strong smell of camphor[10].
References
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
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
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
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