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Eucalyptus
tereticornis Smith
Synonym : Eucalyptus insignis Naudin
Family :
Myrtaceae
Local Names : Yukali, Forest red gum
Flowering and fruiting period: March-September
Distribution: Native of Australia
Habitat: Raised in plantations, also
planted as avenue tree
IUCN status: Least Concern
Endemic: No
Uses: The tree is said to produce a
nutritious, sweet substance that falls from the leaves like manna. The roots
can be used by travellers in the desert to provide good drinking water. Resin
is taken internally as an effective treatment for dysentery. A decoction of the
leaf serves to reduce fever and alleviates pulmonary problems. The essential
oil (from the leaves) has shown antibacterial and antifungal activities, and
in-vivo analgesic, muscle-relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects. The trees are
also used in the restoration and immobilization of dunes, to control erosion by
wind, and as hedges. The leaves are one of the sources of the essential oil
'eucalypt oil'. Kino (a red substance resembling
Key Characters: Trees, to 25 m high, bark white, smooth. Leaves simple,
alternate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, margin entire. Flowers bisexual,
white, flowered axillary umbels. Stamens many; filaments unequal. Ovary
inferior, 3-4-celled, ovules many; style simple, stigma capitate. Fruit a
capsule; seeds many.
