blue-gum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blue-gum
• flooded-gum
• forest-red-gum
• red-forest-gum
• red-gum
• red-gum-tree
• red-irongum
• slaty-gum-tree
• Blue Gum
• Forest Red Gum
• Red Irongum
• Queensland blue gum
• bastard-box
• flooded gum
• grey gum
• mountain gum
• red gum
• red ironbark
• slaty gum
• stinking gum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It further falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, within the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Eucalyptus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several diverse regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in the country of Portugal. Its presence extends to Southeastern Europe, specifically within the borders of Italy. The species is also located in Northern Africa, where it inhabits the territory of Morocco. Finally, it is distributed throughout West Tropical Africa in both Guinea and Senegal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eucalyptus tereticornis is characterized by its preference for lowland habitats, where it thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient. It is typically found at a mean elevation of approximately 1200 m AMSL, though its distribution extends to a maximum elevational range of 1800 m AMSL. Furthermore, the species engages in essential symbiotic relationships with soil fungi, as it is positively associated with mycorrhiza, which aids in nutrient uptake and survival within its preferred environments.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Genetics

The genetics of Eucalyptus tereticornis are characterized by a complex genomic structure that underpins its significant physiological plasticity and rapid growth capabilities. A fundamental aspect of its cytogenetic profile is its chromosome number, which is documented as 22. This diploid number serves as a baseline for understanding the species' inheritance patterns and its potential for evolutionary adaptation within various ecological niches. The genomic architecture of this species is often subject to complex regulatory mechanisms that influence traits such as oil composition, drought resistance, and biomass accumulation, all of which are driven by the underlying genetic recombination and allelic variations present within its 22 chromosomes.

Chromosome number :

22

Life history

The life history of Eucalyptus tereticornis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, contributing to its structural dominance in its ecosystem. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional throughout the year rather than shedding all leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form enables it to establish a permanent and robust presence in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eucalyptus tereticornis is characterized by its robust growth form as a large, woody tree. It is a terrestrial, self-supporting species that grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with its height ranging from a minimum of 20 m to a maximum of 50 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 30 m. As a strictly terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic qualities and relies on its strong, woody structure for stability.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Plant height min:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eucalyptus tereticornis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon assimilation processes. The plant exhibits significant morphological variation in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a mean of 17.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 33 cm. Correspondingly, leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 2.7 cm, maintaining an average width of 1.75 cm. Structurally, the plant demonstrates a robust stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 865 mg/cm³, indicating substantial wood density. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability to support its physiological requirements.

Leaf length max:

33 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.5 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

2.7 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.75 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

865 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eucalyptus tereticornis is a complex process primarily driven by sexual reproduction, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering cycle typically begins in August and concludes in November, though the timing can be variable. This reproductive phase relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects and bees to facilitate fertilization. Once pollinated, the plant develops woody fruits (capsules) that vary in size; the fruit typically measures a mean length of 0.6 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm) and a mean width of 0.7 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm). Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of approximately 0.000887 g, though individual seed weights can fluctuate from a minimum of 0.0002269 g to a maximum of 0.00363 g. Following maturation, the dispersal syndrome is classified as unspecialized, suggesting that the seeds are spread through various general methods rather than a single highly specialized mechanism.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Nov

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00363 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0008869915 g

Seed mass min:

0.0002269 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eucalyptus tereticornis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. PloS one
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Veterinary and animal science
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Fruit

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Eucalyptus tereticornis has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ursolic acid, 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-TERPINYL ACETATE.

Ursolic acid

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-TERPINYL ACETATE

1. Dr. Duke

Allo-Aromadendrene

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha terpinene

1. Dr. Duke

Aromadendrene

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-ELEMENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Eucalyptus tereticornis has 184 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Acaricide.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Eucalyptus tereticornis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations