Practical
Plants

Eucalyptus macrorhyncha

Red Stringybark

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Eucalyptus genus in the family Myrtaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Myrtaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
45 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[9]. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation[9]. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount[9]. 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[9].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although there are no reports of edibility, the leaves contain up to 6.24% rutin.

Product or use
Rutin

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An oleo- resin is exuded from the tree[7]. It can also be obtained from the tree by making incisions in the trunk[10][3]. This resin contains tannin and is powerfully astringent, it is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and bladder inflammation[10][3][7], externally it is applied to cuts etc[10][3]. The leaves contain up to 6.24% rutin. This is taken internally in order to strengthen capillaries[7].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves contain between 0.1 and 0.3% essential oil. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[3]. A fibre is obtained from the bark. Used for rough cordage, matting, packing etc[4]. Wood - hard, tough, very durable. Used for construction, furniture making etc[4].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria.
Habitat
Many sites in granite and poorer white acid soils to 900m[3][4] Dry forests on rocky hills at middle elevations in areas of high summer temperatures, heavy winter frosts and occasional snow[11].
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
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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][12][2]. 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 and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements[6]. Intolerant of hot dry conditions[4], the plant can die back during a drought[11]. This species is hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[5], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers plus longer, colder and wetter winters. Plants are said to resist moderate frosts in Australia[4]. It could be worthwhile giving them a try in the mildest areas of this country. 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[6]. 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]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[6]. 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[8]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[1]. Flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[6]. A good shade tree[11]. Plants coppice freely[4].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  3. Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  9. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Kelly. S. Eucalypts. (2 volumes.) Nelson, Melbourne 1969-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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