This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Eucalyptus gummifera
  • Red Bloodwood

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Windbreak
    Windbreak
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 10
    Zone 10
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Eucalyptus gummifera has 0 edible uses listed
Eucalyptus gummifera has 0 material uses listed
Eucalyptus gummifera has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Citronellal, an essential oil found in most Eucalyptus species is reported to be mutagenic when used in isolation[1]. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation[1]. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount[1]. 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[1].

Edible uses

Notes

The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar which can be sucked from the flowers or mixed with water to make a sweet drink that is called 'bool' in Australia[2].

Unknown part

Drink
Nectar

Material uses

This tree might be suitable as a windbreak near the coast[3]. Wood - red, hard, very durable in the soil, but it has gum streaks and veins. Rarely attacked by white ants, it is used mainly as a fuel, for which it is very good[4].

Unknown part

Fuel
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Eucalyptus leaves are a traditional Aboriginal herbal remedy. The essential oil found in the leaves is a powerful antiseptic and is used all over the world for relieving coughs and colds, sore throats and other infections[5]. The essential oil is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold remedies[5].

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is antiseptic, astringent and parasiticide[6]. It is used in the treatment of various skin complaints[6]. The essential oil obtained from various species of eucalyptus is a very powerful antiseptic, especially when it is old, because ozone is formed in it on exposure to air. It has a decided disinfectant action, destroying the lower forms of life[7]. The oil can be used externally, applied to cuts, skin infections etc, it can also be inhaled for treating blocked nasal passages, it can be gargled for sore throat and can also be taken internally for a wide range of complaints[7]. Some caution is advised, however, because like all essential oils, it can have a deleterious effect on the body in larger doses[7].

An oleo- resin is exuded from the tree[8]. It can also be obtained from the tree by making incisions in the trunk[7][6]. This resin contains tannin and is powerfully astringent, it is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and bladder inflammation[7][6][8], externally it is applied to cuts etc[7][6].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Astringent
Parasiticide
Skin

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Windbreak

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse[9][10][11]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[12]. 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[12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Eucalyptus gummifera. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[12]. Tolerates poor and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements[12]. A drought resistant plant once established[12], it also tolerates saline soils[12]. One report suggests that it might be quite wind tolerant, even on the coast[3].

This species is hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens according to one report[13] whilst another says that it only survives rare frosts in the wild[3]. Plants are not likely to be very cold tolerant in Britain, provenances from the higher parts of its range in Tasmania are more likely to succeed. 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[12]. 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[12]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[12]. 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[14]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[9].

The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Eucalyptus gummifera. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Eucalyptus gummifera.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Eucalyptus gummifera
Genus
Eucalyptus
Family
Myrtaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2]
Medicinal uses
[5][6][7][8]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4]
Botanic
[4][12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Windbreak
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Salinity
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
15 x meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (1983-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Kelly. S. Eucalypts. (2 volumes.) Nelson, Melbourne (1969-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria. ()
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants. ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  10. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  11. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
  12. ? 12.0012.0112.0212.0312.0412.0512.0612.0712.0812.0912.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  13. ? Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (1988-00-00)
  14. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-265" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Eucalyptus_gummifera&oldid=77195"
Facts about "Eucalyptus gummifera"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyMyrtaceae +
Belongs to genusEucalyptus +
Functions asWindbreak +
Has common nameRed Bloodwood +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +
Has edible useDrink + and Nectar +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind +, Drought + and Salinity +
Has fertility typeBee +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone10 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useFuel + and Wood +
Has mature height15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Astringent +, Parasiticide + and Skin +
Has salinity toleranceTolerant +
Has search nameeucalyptus gummifera + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameEucalyptus gummifera +
Has water requirementshigh +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +