blue gum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blue-gum
• blue-gum-tree
• southern-blue-gum
• tasmanian-blue-gum
• Southern Blue-Gum
• Tasmanian blue gum
• Victorian blue gum
• blue gum
• southern blue gum
• Bluegumtree
• Eucalyptus Tree
• bluegum eucalyptus
• fever tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eucalyptus globulosus
• Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus
• Eucalyptus glauca
• Eucalyptus maidenii subsp. globulus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Myrtaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Eucalyptus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted within Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the south, the species is also found throughout parts of Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it inhabits the islands of the Baleares and various areas in France. Additionally, its distribution extends to the coastal and inland regions of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eucalyptus globulus is characterized by a broad vertical distribution, spanning an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. While it is capable of thriving at high altitudes, its typical ecological niche is centered around a mean elevation of approximately 500 m AMSL, where it is frequently found in lowland habitats. Furthermore, the species maintains a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi, as it is characterized by the presence of mycorrhiza, which assists in nutrient uptake and environmental adaptation.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Genetics

The genetics of Eucalyptus globulus are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that reflects its evolutionary history and capacity for polyploidy. The species exhibits significant variation in its karyotype, with documented chromosome numbers including 20, 22, and 28. This numerical diversity is a key feature of its genomic structure, often contributing to the phenotypic plasticity and adaptive potential observed in various populations. Such chromosomal variations play a critical role in the genetic divergence and reproductive strategies of the species, influencing its ability to thrive across diverse environmental gradients.

Chromosome number :

20, 22, 28

Life history

The life history of Eucalyptus globulus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term dominance in its habitat. As a phanerophyte, the plant directs its growth upward, maintaining its photosynthetic organs well above the ground level, which is a defining structural trait of its life form. This growth habit is complemented by its evergreen nature, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year and maintains continuous photosynthetic activity without the need for a seasonal deciduous period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eucalyptus globulus is characterized by its substantial stature and robust structural composition. It is a woody, self-supporting tree that exhibits an independent growth habit, functioning neither as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, but as a terrestrial organism. This species displays significant variation in its physical dimensions, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 15 m to a maximum of 70 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 52 m. As a large-scale terrestrial tree, it possesses a well-developed woody structure that supports its significant vertical growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

70 m

Plant height mean:

52 m

Plant height min:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eucalyptus globulus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a distinct leaf morphology, featuring elliptic leaf forms that vary significantly in size; leaf length ranges from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 35 cm, while leaf width spans from 1.2 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, with a mean width of approximately 3.7 cm. These leaves are organized in an opposite arrangement along the stem. In terms of structural composition, the plant possesses a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 751.5 mg/cm³, reflecting its wood density and mechanical strength. Furthermore, Eucalyptus globulus does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf arrangement :

opposite

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

35 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.7 cm

Leaf width min:

1.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

751.5 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eucalyptus globulus is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that lack self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination. The flowering period typically begins in February and extends through November. The flowers are white in color, with widths ranging from a minimum of 1.2 cm to a maximum of 1.7 cm. Pollination is a biotic process, primarily driven by insects, specifically bees. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 2.5 cm (ranging from 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm) and a mean width of 1.5 cm (ranging from 0.6 cm to 2.4 cm). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0086 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.0014 g to a maximum of 0.2 g. Dispersal of the seeds occurs through both anemochorous (wind) and anthropochorous (human-mediated) syndromes. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower width max:

1.7 cm

Flower width min:

1.2 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Nov

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

2.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.2 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00862935188888889 g

Seed mass min:

0.0014 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eucalyptus globulus has 4 reported plant parts identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, stem, seed.

Leaf

1. Biomolecules
2. Journal of natural products
3. PloS one
4. Chemico-biological interactions
5. Science progress

Fruit

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Phytochemistry
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Seed

1. Parasites & vectors

Chemicals

Eucalyptus globulus has 239 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, EUCALYPTUS OIL, Eucalyptol, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one
3. European journal of pharmacology
4. Scientific reports
5. International journal of molecular sciences

EUCALYPTUS OIL

1. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR
2. Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache
3. Respiration physiology
4. Frontiers in microbiology

Eucalyptol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. British journal of pharmacology
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of Razi Institute
3. Pharmaceutical chemistry journal
4. TheScientificWorldJournal

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Journal of Asian natural products research

ellagic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Macrocarpal A

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of natural products

Macrocarpal B

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of natural products

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of food sciences and nutrition
3. International journal of molecular sciences

cineole

1. Archives of Razi Institute
2. Pharmacognosy research
3. Planta medica

Activities

Eucalyptus globulus has 579 reported activities identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiinflammatory.

Antimicrobial

1. Microorganisms
2. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR
3. Drug and chemical toxicology
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. International journal of molecular sciences
5. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. IET nanobiotechnology
4. PloS one
5. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Drug and chemical toxicology

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Drug and chemical toxicology

Antiplatelet

1. Dr. Duke
2. Drug and chemical toxicology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical chemistry journal

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Eucalyptus globulus has 47 reported investigations on conditions identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include COVID-19, diabetes mellitus, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, E. coli.

Covid-19

1. PloS one
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin
5. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Chemico-biological interactions
3. Biochemistry research international
4. Diabetologia

Asthma

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Alzheimer's disease

1. Pharmacological research
2. International journal of molecular sciences

E. coli

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Hyperglycemia

1. Archives of medical research
2. The Journal of nutrition

Hypertension

1. BMJ open
2. The Pan African medical journal

Malaria

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Malaria research and treatment

Alzheimer disease

1. Biomolecules

Covid 19

1. European journal of integrative medicine

Preparations

Eucalyptus globulus has 39 reported preparations identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, leaves, essential oil, EO, stem bark.

Essential oils

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of infection and public health
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaves

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Phytochemistry
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Malaria research and treatment

Essential oil

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Eo

1. Letters in applied microbiology
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Stem bark

1. Phytochemistry
2. Archives of pharmacal research

E. globulus leaf eo

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oils from the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extracts

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract

1. Scientific reports

Eucalyptus globulus extract

1. Scientific reports