Eucalyptus deglupta

Eucalyptus deglupta
Photograph
View of multi-coloured bark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Species: E. deglupta
Binomial name
Eucalyptus deglupta
Blume

Eucalyptus deglupta is a tall tree, commonly known as the rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum. It is the only Eucalyptus species found naturally in the Northern Hemisphere. Its natural distribution spans New Britain, New Guinea, Seram, Sulawesi and Mindanao.

The unique multi-hued bark is the most distinctive feature of the tree. Patches of outer bark are shed annually at different times, showing a bright green inner bark. This then darkens and matures to give blue, purple, orange and then maroon tones.[1][2]

They grow 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and over 200 feet (61 m) tall.[3]

Uses

In the present day this tree is grown widely around the world in tree plantations, mainly for pulpwood used in making paper. It is the dominant species used for pulpwood plantations in the Philippines.[4]

Cultivation

Eucalyptus deglupta is cultivated as an ornamental tree, for planting in tropical and subtropical climate gardens and parks. It is not resistant to frosts.

The showy multi-coloured streaks that cover the trunk are a distinctive landscape design element.

References

  1. Garner, LariAnn. "Under the Rainbow" (pdf). Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  2. David Webster Lee (2007). Nature's palette: the science of plant color. University of Chicago Press. p. 228. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  3. http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/nature-blows-my-mind-rainbow-covered-eucalyptus-deglupta-trees.html
  4. "Notes on Eucalyptus" (pdf). National Resources Institute. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eucalyptus deglupta.

External links

Data related to Eucalyptus deglupta at Wikispecies