Gum Eucalyptus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-kah-LIP-tus
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Eucalyptus are woody, upright, and open, evergreen trees or shrubs in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) with long, modestly branched stems. They are native from the Philippines to Australia, and there are hundreds of species.
These species are generally recommended for the coastal or tropical South as they do not do well in cold weather. In zones 7a and lower, they are prone to die back to the ground. Plant them in full sun and well-draining soil. Once established, they are drought tolerant.
The trees are noted for their peeling bark, blue-green leaves, and distinct aroma attributed to oils in the leaves. Eucalyptus oil is used as an antiseptic, an insect repellant, and a decongestant. Though evergreen, the leaves of silver dollar tree only last a year or so and then they drop in favor of new leaves being produced. So, if you've noticed dead leaves accumulating beneath your tree, it is not necessarily a cause for worry.
Grow silver dollar tree as a houseplant or as an ornamental tree in a drought-tolerant garden in hardiness zone 7b or higher.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- E. cinerea
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- E. cinerea
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eucalyptus
- Family:
- Myrtaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Philippines to Australia
- Fire Risk Rating:
- extreme flammability
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought tolerant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- many-seeded capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- flowers in small clusters, top- or bell-shaped, 4-petaled with many stamens
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- alternate or opposite, simple, blue, green or silvery, smooth-margined leaves
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Furrowed
- Peeling
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coma, depression, weakness. Skin redness, irritation, and burning from handling leaves and bark. Eucalyptus oil is extremely toxic if eaten.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Eucalyptus oil, eucalyptol, and cyanogenic glycoside.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Leaves
