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Revision as of 11:05, 3 August 2002 by Marj Tiefert (talk | contribs) (copyedit, wikify, add a bit)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Eucalyptus is a genus of tree very commonly found in Australia. There are close to 600 species of eucalyptus native to Australia, and a much smaller number in New Guinea. Eucalyptus can be found in every part of the country, adapted to virtually all of Australia's climatic conditions. Some species are eaten by koalas. Eucalypti have become naturalized in California and Israel.
All eucalypti are evergreens. Eucalyptus leaves contain an essential oil which is a powerful natural disinfectant. The oil is readily distilled from the leaves and can be used for cleaning, deodorising, and in very small quantities in food supplements, especially cough drops and decongestants. Sometimes on a warm day, a haze of eucalyptus oil rises above the bush.
Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable, contributing to the danger of bush fires. The tree practically explodes when flames reach it.
The plant was introduced to the West by Joseph Banks, a botanist on the Cook expedition in 1768.