Blue gum tree
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Blue gum tree |
| Scientific name | Eucalyptus globulus |
| Taxonomic group | Myrtaceae |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Human impacts | Invasive species |
| Economic botany | Timber; Medicinals |
| Food plants | Oils |
| Conservation | Invasive species |
| Lessons | Invasive species |
Blue gum tree. Native to southeastern Australia and Tasmania, the blue gum is the most extensively planted Eucalyptus species in the world. Its attractive form and rapid growth make it useful as an ornamental and for fuel, charcoal, pulp, timber, and windbreaks. The essential oil derived from the tree has antiseptic, stimulant, and analgesic properties and is widely used in cough drops, salves, and folk remedies; it is also used as a fragrance and flavoring. Blue gum is considered an invasive species in California and Hawaii.
