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Brief Introduction
The name Eucalyptus is derived from the Greek eu, well; calyptos, covered which refers to the cap on the flower bud.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyp'tus), any of several types of tall evergreen trees, (including the Australian gum-tree) from which oil, timber and gum are obtained.
Most of the species secrete a resinous substance, and hence are known to the Australian colonists as "gum trees". The gum the eucalyptus secretes provides natural protection against insects because it literally drowns the menacing pests.
Eucalyptus trees are quick growers and many species reach a great height, Eucalyptus amygdalin (Labille) is the tallest known tree, specimens attaining as much as 480 feet, exceeding in height even the Californian Big Tree (Sequoia gigantea).
The eucalyptus has served humankind in many ways. It has been used as fuel and as windbreaks to protect crops, farm animals, and buildings. Its oils have been extracted and used in medicine and in scented products.
The whole eucalyptus tree could be used from its roots to its crown, from its bark to its foliage. It not only provided fuel, windbreaks, medicine, shade and beauty, it also was lumber for implements, nectar for bees, chemical for boiler cleaning and pulp for paper. Unique fiber properties make eucalyptus pulp a preferred raw material for most woodfree paper grades. When correctly processed, high quality requirements are always met and high value is added to the final product.
Soils
The perfect soil for most eucalyptus species is deep, well-drained loamy soil. The soils moisture content too is important because most eucalyptus species are dependent upon massive amounts of water for their quick growth. Soils for eucalyptus need to contain plant food elements such as potash, lime, magnesia, iron, phosphoric acid, and humus with high nitrogen content. Eucalyptus roots can spread out to 100 feet laterally and sink 60 feet into the soil.
Flowers
Most species flower after about three to six years of growth. Though some species flower unpredictably at various seasons, some will predictably flower at certain times of the year. This varies for each species, but quite a few of them bloom in the spring. Some of them even flower in the winter. Flower structure is a major consideration in Eucalyptus classification, in most eucalyptus species, the flowers are noticeable with some being profuse and showy. Their color varies from white, cream, pink, yellow, and red depending upon the species.
The flowers of the Eucalyptus trees are generally in umbellate clusters. The calyx is partially adnate to the ovary, and furnished in the bud with a conical lid or cap, covering the stamens, but which, when the flower-expands, separates from the lower part of the calyx by a circular dehiscence, and falls off entire. There are no petals, but the stamens are numerous, and are sometimes united into 4 sets.
Leaves
The leaves, which are always entire, are very variable in shape and position. In the young trees they are always opposite and horizontal, but, in older trees, they generally become alternate, and, by a peculiar twist of the leaf-stalks, present the edges instead of the flat surfaces to the ground, thus giving the Eucalyptus a strange appearance, different from that of any of our American trees
Seeds
Eucalyptus seeds are generally small in size with only a few within a capsule being fertile. The hardiness of the tree determines the number of seeds it produces. Trees between twenty to forty years of age produce the most seeds. Sunlight is needed to germinate seeds that is why in dense forests or groves no seedlings grow.
The eucalyptus produces massive amounts of seed to allow survival after such environmental damage.
The fruit, which is dry and enclosed in the hardened calyx, contains 3 or 4 cells, and usually ripens but 2 or 3 seeds to each cell. The fruit of the eucalyptus remains unopened until it falls to the ground. Seed dissemination is uncommon by the wind or birds; consequently, seedlings appear right beneath the parent tree where the fruit dropped.
Spread the seed capsules out in the sun and the seeds will be expelled from the capsules in a few days. Good seeds will germinate within a week.
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