Suitable location
Except for a few species that are also found in the Penumbra to thrive, the eucalyptus needs a lot of light. Preferably plants Move it to 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 different Eucalyptus species to tell apart by 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 elongated
- 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
- around
- slight notches in the leaf margin
Tasmanian Snow Eucalyptus
- oval, elongated
- gray-green, shimmering whitish
- smooth leaf margin
Changes in 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 clearly see this property especially with the Tasmanian Snow Eucalyptus. Another example is the eucalyptus globulus:
Leaves at a young age
- opposite arrangement
- round or ovoid
- without petiole
- entire margins
- 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. So that the water in the leaf veins does not evaporate due to the high solar radiation, the leaf blades are rotated by 90 ° C.
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 pharmaceuticals. The containing essential oils
- free the nose in case of 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.
