River red gum
Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A graceful tree 10-20 m high. It can be 45 m tall. It spreads 15-35 m wide. The bark is grey and white. The small branches hang down. The leaves are smooth, narrow and sword shaped. They are 10-25 cm long by 1-3.5 cm wide. They are grey-green. They have a long pointed tip. The fruit are small cup shaped woody capsules. They are 0.5 cm across.

There are at least 500 Eucalyptus species mostly originally in Australia.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate regions but can also grow in the tropics. It can grow in arid or semiarid locations. It grows along the banks of rivers. It can stand heavy frosts. It needs well drained soils but they can be wet or dry. It can tolerate salty soil. It can grow in arid places. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Greece, Guyana, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, North Africa, North America, Oman, Panama, Portugal, Rwanda, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds have been reported to have been eaten. A white sugary scale insect secretion on the leaves is eaten, in Australia. Grubs in the trunks and branches are also eaten. A lerp scale (Psylla eucalypti) is eaten in Australia.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, exudate, nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

It grows quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Baxrasaaf, Breng khyal, Kina, Masala

Synonyms

Symphyomyrtus; Eucalyptus rostratus Schltrl.;