Plant DetailShow Menu

Eucalyptus Eucalyptus cinerea

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Eucalyptus:

Phonetic Spelling
yoo-kuh-LIP-tus sin-EER-ee-uh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Silver Dollar Tree is a small evergreen tree or shrub native to Australia.  It can grow rapidly (6-8 feet in one season).   The leaves are round, fragrant and an attractive silver color, hence the common name, silver dollar tree.  The bark is reddish brown and peels on smaller stems and becomes gray and stringy on the trunk as the tree matures.  

In its native environment, it can reach 60 feet.  It is not reliably cold-hardy, but often comes back during the growing season, even after a hard freeze. In cold climates these plants are commonly grown in containers as either shrubs or annuals. Container plants can be placed on patios or sunk into the ground, but must be brought indoors in fall before first frost for overwintering.

This plant is moderately salt-tolerant.  It is grown primarily for its foliage but rarely produces flowers.  The foliage is fragrant and is frequently used in floral arrangements.

Minor skin irritation can occur when handling bark or leaves.  Plant oil is extremely toxic, especially if large quantities are ingested.  

Quick ID Hints:

  • Opposite, round, sessile, blue-green leaves
  • Leaves/stems emit eucalyptus odor when bruised

The Eucalyptus genus has 2 leaf morphologies- adult and juvenile; in zone 7b, specimens usually do not survive to the adult stage, so the leaves that we see are the orbicular, sessile, opposite juvenile leaves; bruised bark and leaves give off a characteristic eucalyptus odor; dried leafy branches sometimes are used in floral arrangements; in Australia and New Zealand, eucalyptus species are referred to as 'gums'. 

Drought tolerant when established; intolerant of mild winters and early/late freezes; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Pest Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. 

More information on Eucalyptus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#silvery#gray leaves#silver leaves#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#flower arrangements#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#fantz#dried arrangements#evergreen tree#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#silvery#gray leaves#silver leaves#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#flower arrangements#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#fantz#dried arrangements#evergreen tree#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eucalyptus
    Species:
    cinerea
    Family:
    Myrtaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Oils used as an essential oil, herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Australia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 52 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Capsule contains many seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Small white clusters of blooms, each flower having many stamens. An umbel, axillary. Flowers (3) creamy-white to yellow, small.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Young leaves resemble large coins, hence the common name of “silver dollar tree”. Juvenile leaves opposite, simple, orbicular, entire, glaucous, sessile, blue-green or ash-colored. Adult leaves alternate, simple, broadly lanceolate, acuminate, thick, glaucous, petiolate, blue-green, 3-4.5".
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    Bark peels on small stems, but becomes stringy on the trunk. Bark of younger branches is red-brown to gray, smooth, on older branches is rough, fibrous, red-brown.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Salivation, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, coma, depression, weakness; skin redness, irritation, and burning
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Eucalyptus oil, eucalyptol, and cyanogenic glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice