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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Eucalyptus viminalis is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
E. angustifolia.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Manna
Edible Uses:
A manna is exuded from the leaves[4, 11, 177] (from the bark as well according to some reports[61, 177]) as a result of insect damage[144]. The red gum or manna exuding from cracks in the bark is eaten eagerly by boys[269]. Eucalyptus manna, which exudes from punctures in summer months, is sometimes consumed[269]. A very pleasant sweet taste[46, 105], it is slightly laxative[152]. The aboriginal Australians collected it after it fell to the ground, or they scraped it from the leaves[183]. Heavily covered leaves were pounded and baked[183]. Since the manna is probably formed as a result of insect damage, it is quite possible that it will not be formed in Britain because the same insects will not be able to live here[K]. The manna contains the sugars arabinose, raffinose, dextrose, and sucrose[269].
Medicinal Uses
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Antiviral Laxative
A sweet manna exuded from the plant has a mild laxative effect[152, 238]. The essential oil found in the leaves shows an antiviral effect and can be used in the treatment of influenza[269]. The leaves inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus[269]. The leafy twig decoction was used to bathe rheumatic limbs[269].
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Other Uses
Adhesive Essential Fuel Repellent Soil stabilization Wood
The leaves contain between 0.35 - 0.75% essential oil, of which 50 - 65% is cineol, 5% is pinene, and 10% is eudesmol[154, 269]. The bark contains 4.8 - 8% tannin[269]. The red gum or manna exuding from cracks in the bark has been used for making adhesives[269]. Planted in S. Europe for soil stabilization and to drain marshes in order to get rid of malarial mosquitoes[50]. Wood - coarse grained, durable in the soil[46, 61], excellent quality[77]. In rich soils the wood is not so hard or durable[155]. The wood, which weighs about 51 lb./cu ft, is used for building, construction, joinery, and vehicles[269]. It is considered suitable for paper pulp[269] and is a moderately good fuel[155].
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Scented Plants
Cultivation details
Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[200]. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements[200]. Tolerates dry soils and also drought once it is established[200]. A fairly hardy species, one report suggests that it is hardy to between -15°c and -20°c[200] whilst another says that plants succumb to hard frosts[11]. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[200]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[200]. A fast growing tree, it is often cultivated in S.W. Europe for timber, soil stabilization shelter and as an anti-malarial measure, the trees are capable of drying out wet ground, making it unsuitable for mosquitoes to breed in[50]. This species is very easily confused with E. dalrympleana[11]. Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock[245]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[11]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[200].
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Propagation
Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse[11, 78, 134]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[200]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in June, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Corymbia citriodora | Lemon-Scented Gum, blue spotted gum, lemon eucalyptus, eucalyptus citriodora. | Tree | 45.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus brassiana | Cape York red gum | Tree | 20.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus caesia | Gungurru | Tree | 10.0 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 2 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus camaldulensis | Red River Gum, Murray Red Gum, River Red Eucalyptus | Tree | 30.0 |
8-12
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus citriodora | Lemon-Scented Gum, Lemon Scented Eucalyptus | Tree | 45.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 3 | |
| Eucalyptus coccifera | Mt. Wellington Peppermint | Tree | 15.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus dumosa | Water Mallee | Tree | 7.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus globulus | Tasmanian Blue Gum, Eurabbie, Blue Gum, Blue Eucalyptus | Tree | 55.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Eucalyptus gomphocephala | Tuart. Tuart Gum | Tree | 40.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus grandis | Flooded Gum, Gum, Rose Eucalyptus | Tree | 50.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus gummifera | Red Bloodwood | Tree | 15.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 3 | |
| Eucalyptus gunnii | Cider Gum | Tree | 30.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Eucalyptus johnstonii | Yellow Gum, Johnston's gum | Tree | 60.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus largiflorens | Black Box | Tree | 18.0 |
9-11
| S | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus leucoxylon | Yellow Gum, White ironbark, White Eucalyptus | Tree | 15.0 |
10-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus macrorhyncha | Red Stringybark | Tree | 45.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 3 | |
| Eucalyptus melliodora | Yellow Box | Tree | 30.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus microcorys | Tallow Wood, Australian tallowwood | Tree | 45.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus microtheca | Coolabah, Coolibah, Flooded Box, Coolibah | Tree | 15.0 |
9-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Eucalyptus obliqua | Messmate | Tree | 60.0 |
8-12
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus pauciflora | Cabbage Gum, Snow gum | Tree | 12.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus pauciflora niphophila | Snow Gum | Tree | 6.0 |
6-9
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 3 | |
| Eucalyptus perriniana | Spinning Gum | Tree | 6.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus piperita | Sydney Peppermint | Tree | 18.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 2 | |
| Eucalyptus polybractea | Blue Mallee | Tree | 6.0 |
-
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 3 | |
| Eucalyptus punctata | Grey Gum | Tree | 30.0 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus racemosa | Snappy Gum | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 3 | |
| Eucalyptus regnans | Mountain Ash | Tree | 75.0 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
| Eucalyptus robusta | Swamp Mahogany, Eucalyptus Gum | Tree | 30.0 |
8-12
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Eucalyptus sideroxylon | Red Ironbark, Eucalyptus, Gum, Pink Ironbark | Tree | 30.0 |
10-11
| F | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 0 | |
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Author
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Botanical References
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