Eucalyptus, << `yoo` kuh LIHP tuhs, >> is a large group of trees native to Australia. These trees are useful for their oil, gum, and timber. Most eucalyptuses grow best in warm climates that have alternate wet and dry seasons. Eucalyptuses have been successfully grown in Florida, southern California, and other parts of the southern United States. The eucalyptus that is most frequently planted in North America is the blue gum. The trees grow rapidly and reach a gigantic size. The mature leaves are long, narrow, and leathery. The flowers are filled with nectar.
In Australia, eucalyptuses are the most important timber trees. They are often called gum trees. The jarrah is an Australian eucalyptus with red wood much like mahogany. In California, eucalyptuses are planted around orange and lemon groves to break the force of the wind.
Manufacturers use eucalyptus lumber for ships, railroad ties, paving blocks, utility poles, fences, and piers. The trees furnish a resin, called Botany Bay kino, that protects wood against shipworms and other borers. The bark of some species of eucalyptus trees furnishes tannin, which is used in medicine. The leaves contain a valuable oil that is used as an antiseptic, a deodorant, and a stimulant.
