Eucalyptus - Latin name Eucalyptus - is tall fast-growing species of trees and shrubs.Homeland green giants flora is the smallest continent - Australia, and the nearest island to the mainland.Evergreen eucalyptus (tree) Europeans were brought to France in the middle of the XIX century to grow in the gardens, and dwarf forms - in greenhouses.Since then, these green skyscrapers, natural pumps and storm germs spread around the world.
plant, "change the skin»
On Earth, not much is known of flora that are exempt from the bark yourself.The Russian writer Vladimir Solouhin was struck by such a fact, when vacationing in the Caucasus.He noted that the eucalyptus - a tree, "eternally rejuvenating."Chinar (sycamore) is also able to independently reset the bark.For such a feature tree is popularly called "shameless."
are widely used powerful and strong trunks, healing essential oil, leaves that are not reset eucalyptus (wood).The description of this amazing plant contains a lot of interesting details.For example, the outer layer of bark showered in March, when the southern hemisphere autumn comes.Then the trunks and branches of eucalyptus trees are gray, greenish, yellow, sometimes bluish.
Description eucalyptus tree
Leaves - opposite and alternate, and their size depends on the age.The main features of the sheet device - solid form of the plate, the presence of cell-cell glands with essential oil.Adults leaves - lanceolate, with pointed tip.The length is 12 cm, width - 2.5 cm. At a young age, they have a distinct silvery tint, round or heart-shaped form.
eucalyptus - a tree, not giving the shadows, because the leaf blades are turning to the edge of the sun.White flowers - are bisexual, collected in umbellate or paniculate inflorescences, and meet singles.The sepals are fused with the ovary and petals lignified, the result is a fruit - a box with a lid.Inside are small seeds, which poured upon expansion valves.
Rod "Eucalyptus»
flowering evergreen trees and shrubs belong to the myrtle family.In Australia in the last century 90% of the natural forests were eucalyptus forests.There are about 700 species that unites the genus Eucalyptus, most of them native to Australia, only 15 owe their origin to the islands of Oceania.
over 100 years, eucalyptus (the tree) is cultivated in tropical and temperate latitudes on the continents of Eurasia, Africa and America.There was widespread several thermophilic species that are grown in the Mediterranean, the United States, Brazil, the Middle East, China.These include the Eucalyptus:
- prutovidny;
- almond;
- ball;
- ash.
Flowers eucalyptus have a strong flavor, but attract bees.These collectors of nectar and pollen in Australia prefer eucalyptus.Oils of various types of eucalyptus used in alternative and official medicine used in perfumery, cosmetology.Medicinal properties of the leaves also have these amazing Australian plants.
Eucalyptus - the tallest tree in the world
Trees differ rapid, rapid growth.You can find quite large specimens have reached just ten years old.Here amazing facts:
- almond eucalyptus in the first few years of life grows up to 3 m thick trunk up to 6 cm;
- trees in natural conditions can have a 5-year height of 12 m, thickness - up to 20 cm, old specimens known height of more than 150 m (30 m in girth reaches such an unusual tree);
- height (eucalyptus) trunk at 20 years of age is usually 30-40 m;
- genetically modified trees in 5-6 years reaching 27-30 m in height.
famous Russian writer and naturalist K. Paustovsky compared eucalyptus and conifers.It turns out that the age of five is a wonderful plant produces more wood than spruce or fir at the age of 120 years.
Use "green skyscraper»
height of eucalyptus trees in 20 years - a 15-storey building.Fully mature and ready for commercial felling of landing at the age of 25-30 years.For 40 years the trees are taller and thicker bicentennial oak trees.Eucalyptus prepared paper, cardboard.World fame got him hard and durable wood, comparable in quality to the black walnut.It almost does not decay, sinking in water, repels insects carpenter.
trunks of eucalyptus used where necessary durability of the material.Piles of straight lines and smooth tree stand for in sea water for two decades with no signs of rot.Wood of various breeds differently colored, different in texture.Dominated by yellow, olive, white and reddish tones, which are particularly sought after in the furniture industry and decoration of buildings.
Transgenic trees
Ignite eucalyptus wood is difficult, but it derived from coal is of high quality.Biotechnology departments of industrial companies have created genetically modified specimens that grow 40% faster, even in dense plantation yield more wood and coal.Plantation of transgenic plants - eucalyptus, pine, poplar, papaya and other fruit, rapeseed, soybean, vegetables - are taking up more space in the world.Their experimental cultivation is carried out with the 1980s in different countries.With the help of these plants can be solved by food, commodity issues, meet the growing global demand for energy.
more than 10 years studying the possibility of Israeli biotech industrial cultivation of GMO trees, eucalyptus and poplar.Mass introduction of such commercial landings constrain only the laws in the field of biological safety.They regulate the sphere of circulation of transgenic products, but not adopted in all countries.
Implications of GMOs not well understood, but it is clear that the transgenic eucalyptus trees are more resistant to pests, can have an impact on the unaccounted soil and living organisms.Possible consequences associated with food webs in ecosystems.Eucalyptus and poplar pollen scatter over a wide area, live for decades, so the harmful effects persist for longer.
What can be dangerous eucalyptus modified (wood)?Where growing transgenic instance, surrounded by natural forms, there may be their mutual pollination.This, according to experts in the field of bio-safety, is fraught with uncontrollable consequences.Can become a reality nightmarish scene from a science fiction movie, when the shoots are growing with incredible speed and punch the wall.
Eucalyptus in landscape design
Evergreen has excellent windproof properties, it dries the wet soil.The roots of the eucalyptus can absorb an unusually large amount of water, so the tree is called "green pump."Landscape Architect call are many other valuable features, which has eucalyptus.
tree is grown at home more often, it is undemanding, requires minimal maintenance.More time and care needed for the formation of bonsai using pruning and the main shoot.In landscape design eucalyptus for stabilizing soil on the slopes, slopes and banks of reservoirs, to prevent erosion.The plant prefers moist but well-drained sandy loam soil (pH - slightly acidic to neutral).
The healing properties of eucalyptus
In Australian hospitals have long hung eucalyptus branches for air disinfection.The allocated volatile plant has antiseptic and calming effect.Infusion of leaves used in folk medicine as an expectorant, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent.Infected wounds washed with 15% decoction of eucalyptus leaves (previously sterilized).
Eucalyptus oil
most suitable for the treatment considered essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus species Ball (ball).As medical materials suitable only older leaves of the plant.Collect them in the summer and autumn, when the percentage of oil rises.Was subjected to extraction for volatile aroma substances can be both fresh and dried leaves.Eucalyptus oil - a colorless, yellow or greenish liquid with a pleasant odor.This product is processed leaves perfectly refreshes the air, fills it with useful and pleasant aroma.Eucalyptol, part of the oil has antiseptic and expectorant, it helps with diseases of the mouth and throat.It is used in sprays and candies for sore throat, flu.
for eucalyptus cultivation in the room is better to use seeds of relatively low-growing species, putting the seedlings and saplings in small bowl.Require annual transshipment or change, intense sunlight and well hydrated.
scented leaves of each species of eucalyptus have their own flavor, which combines notes of lemon, rose, violet, lilac.Most oil smell reminiscent of laurel, turpentine, camphor.In areas where they grow eucalyptus trees pleasing look elegant and useful leaves, clean the air volatile production.
