"eu" - "kalyptus"
Deriving from the Greek words “eu” (beautiful) and “kalyptus” (hat) the Eucalyptus shrub and tree is one that is native to Australia and seemingly dominates their ecosystem. Characterized as a tall, slender tree with canopy-like leaves, this plant can thrive indoors to keep away flies and mosquitos or soar outside. The plant can reach heights up to 200 feet in the wild depending on the species. In fact, the Eucalyptus tree is one that has been in widely cultivated around the world and can been commonly found thriving in tropical, sunny climates. Botanists estimate there to be around 700 different species of the Eucalyptus Tree. What’s most noteworthy about this tree is its ability to shed and regrow its tree trunks every season or year depending on the species. This stems from adapting to Australia’s constant forest fires - the trunks adapt to the harsh climates to continue standing through disaster. This can create some pretty funky trunks like the colorful masterpieces on the “Rainbow Gum” tree or some seemingly damaged but incredibly withstanding trunks like the “Candlebark” tree.
The Aboriginals see the tree as a sacred plant which symbolizes the division of the underworld and the heavens. The tree also secretes a thick, red resin called kino. Indigenous peoples traditionally use this kino to treat wounds as it has antibacterial benefits. Koalas and the yellow-bellied gliders are two Australian natives who enjoy to snack on this kino. Traditional Chinese, Indian, and Greek medical practices eventually adopted the use of Eucalyptus within teas, medicines, and as sanitary sterilizers. The most common modern use of the Eucalyptus plant would be its eucalyptol oil which is secreted from the green leaves from within the trees. It can be identified as a calming therapeutic essential oil in addition to having medicinal benefits like the ability to kill bacteria and stimulate one’s immune system. In California, the Western Monarch Butterfly population can be seen clustering on Eucalyptus Trees in the winter. Scientists have observed and tested this phenomena and have come to the conclusion that these butterflies do, in fact, prefer the Eucalyptus Trees as homes to spend their winters. As a result, more efforts have been made to further protect the Eucalyptus Trees in California to protect these butterflies.
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