Suitable location
With the exception of a few species that also thrive in partial shade, the eucalyptus needs a lot of light. It is best to plant it in a south-facing location. Avoid the tree growing in the shade of other plants. Otherwise, the leaves will lighten and lose their pretty look.
also read
- Different types of eucalyptus and their properties
- Causes and remedies for dried up leaves on eucalyptus
- The flower of the eucalyptus
Characteristics of different eucalyptus species
With the following overview you will learn to differentiate between different eucalyptus species based on the appearance of their leaves.
The blue gum tree (Eucalyptus globulus)
- two leaves each enclose a branch
- egg-shaped and green
- alternating arrangement
- smooth leaf margin
The Speckled Eucalyptus Corymbia maculata)
- elongated or egg-shaped
- shiny green
- smooth, slightly wavy leaf margin
- up to 20 cm in length
The red eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
- ovate or oblong
- green to gray-green
- up to 30 cm in length
- smooth leaf margin
The snow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp niphophila)
- elongated, oval
- gray-green, shimmering whitish
- smooth leaf margin
The silver dollar eucalyptus (Eucalyptus polyanthemos)
- blue green
- round
- slight notches in the leaf margin
Tasmanian snow eucalyptus
- oval, elongated
- gray-green, shimmering whitish
- smooth leaf margin
Changes in the leaves with age
The leaves of the eucalyptus show what is known as heterophyllia. This means that they change shape and color over the course of life. You can see this property clearly with the Tasmanian Snow Eucalyptus. Another example is the eucalyptus globulus:
Leaves at a young age
- opposite arrangement
- round or ovoid
- without petiole
- entire
- matt gray-green
Leaves in old age
- Petioles with a narrow, flattened, channel-shaped cross section
- glossy green
Heat resistance
The eucalyptus originally comes from warm Australia and Tasmania. The leaf blades are rotated by 90 ° C so that the water in the leaf veins does not evaporate due to the high levels of solar radiation.
Use in medicine
Not only koalas like to nibble on the leaves of the eucalyptus. The healing ingredients also play an important role for humans. Most pharmacists use the eucalyptus globulus for the production and distribution of medicines. The containing essential oils
- free the nose with a cold
- have a relaxing effect
- make it easier to cough up phlegm in the lungs
- fight bacteria
- have a cooling effect on the skin
Above all, the active ingredient cineole causes the healing benefits. However, an overdose can lead to stomach cramps, which is why you should always take eucalyptus extracts according to the package insert, the advice of your doctor and only in a diluted ration.
