Common name: Eucalyptus, Safeda सफ़ैदा (Hindi), Nasik (Manipuri)
Botanical name: Eucalyptus spp. Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of trees (rarely shrubs), the members of which
dominate the tree flora of Australia. All eucalypts are evergreen, although
some species have deciduous bark. On warm days vapourised eucalyptus oil rises
above the bush to create the characteristic distant blue haze of the
Australian landscape. Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable (trees have been
known to explode) and bush fires can travel easily through the oil-rich air of
the tree crowns.
Eucalypts exhibit leaf dimorphism.
When young, the leaves are opposite and often roundish and occassionally
without petiole. When several years old, the leaves become quite slender and
with long petiole. Eucalyptus flowers typically vary from white, cream, pink,
yellow, or red depending upon the species. The flower petals and stamens are
fused into a cap called an operculum — as the flower opens the cap is shed.
The flowers appear as a fuzzy, cream-yellow ball of stamens.
After flowering, hard, woody seed pods develop and are often key to
identifying the plant species. Typically, these seed heads remain on the tree
until released by fire or the plant's death.
Medicinal uses: Eucalyptus oil has medicinal properties - the well known
Vicks vapo-rub is made out of eucalyptus oil. Traditionally, eucalyptus oil
is known to be a good medicine for relieving nasal congestion in cold.
| Photographed in New Delhi |
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ntroduced
