Eucalyptus (redirected from Eucalypts)

eucalyptus (y'kəlĭp`təs): see myrtle.

---

eucalyptus

Any of the more than 500 species of mostly very large trees in the genus Eucalyptus, in the myrtle family, native to Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and nearby islands. Many species are grown widely throughout the temperate regions of the world as shade trees or in forestry plantations. Because they grow rapidly, many species attain great height. The leaf glands of many species, especially E. salicifolia and E. globulus, contain a volatile, aromatic oil known as eucalyptus oil, used mostly in medicines. Eucalyptus wood is used extensively in Australia as fuel, and the timber is commonly used in buildings and fencing. The bark of many species is used in papermaking and tanning.

---

eucalyptus, eucalypt

any myrtaceous tree of the mostly Australian genus Eucalyptus, such as the blue gum and ironbark, widely cultivated for the medicinal oil in their leaves (eucalyptus oil), timber, and ornament

---

Eucalyptus [‚yü·kə′lip·təs]

(botany)

A large genus of evergreen trees belonging to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and occurring in Australia and New Guinea.

---

eucalyptus

Wood of the eucalyptus tree, native to Australia and Tasmania, but many species now are grown elsewhere in the world; the physical characteristics and properties vary considerably with the species. Also see gumwood.

---

Eucalyptus 

a genus of plants of the family Myrtaceae. The genus consists mainly of evergreen trees frequently reaching a height of 100 m; there are some shrubs. The arrangement and shape of the leaves vary according to the age of the plant. The leaves are always entire, and they are usually fragrant owing to the presence of essential oil. The flowers are regular and bisexual. There are numerous stamens, and the ovary is inferior. The fruit is a capsule consisting of a truncated woody calyx tube to which the ovary is fused.

There are more than 525 species of eucalyptus; they are commonly found in Australia and Tasmania, as well as on neighboring islands. The USSR has more than 30 cultivated species, growing mainly on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. Almost all subtropical and tropical countries cultivate eucalypts, since the plants yield valuable wood and grow rapidly. Also of economic value are the leaves, which yield essential oil, and the bark, which yields tannins. Eucalyptus oil and eucalyptus teas or tinctures are used medicinally as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory rinses and inhaiants to treat infections of the upper respiratory tract; the medicines are also used to treat wounds and some gynecological disorders. A eucalyptus tincture may also be prescribed to treat inflammation of the mouth and, sometimes, as a sedative.

REFERENCES

Pilipenko, F. S. “Evkalipt—Eucalyptus L’Herit.” In Derev’ia i kustarniki SSSR, vol. 5. Moscow-Leningrad, 1960.
Maiden, J. H. A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus, vols. 1–8, parts 1–75. Sydney, 1903–33.
Blakely, W. F. A Key to the Eucalypts, 3rd ed. Canberra, 1965.
Pryor, L. D., and L. A. S. Johnson. A Classification of the Eucalypts. Canberra, 1971.
Johnson, L. A. S. “Presidential Address: Evolution and Classification in Eucalyptus.” Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, 1972, vol. 97, part 1, no. 429.

M. E. KIRPICHNIKOV