Eucalyptus caesia

Benth.

Gungurru, Caesia

Myrtaceae Edible: Bark of roots Potential hazards — see below 597 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Eucalyptus caesia, commonly known as caesia or gungurru, is a species of mallee that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has smooth reddish brown bark at first, later shedding in curling flakes, lance-shaped, sometimes curved adult leaves, club-shaped flower buds covered with a waxy, bluish white bloom, pink stamens with yellow anthers and urn-shaped fruit.

Description

A weeping tree. The branches hang down. It grows 4-10 m high and spreads 2.5-8 m across. The bark is reddish-brown and peels off in red layers revealing a powdery white stem. The stems, buds and capsules have a white powdery appearance. The leaves are grey and hang down. The flowers are pink. They hang in clusters. The flowers are 5 cm across. The fruit is urn shaped and 5 cm long.

Edible Uses

The bark of young roots can be baked and then ground. It has a sweet, malt-like flavour.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Citronellal, an essential oil found in most Eucalyptus species is reported to be mutagenic when used in isolation. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount. Symptoms include gastroenteric burning and irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, oxygen deficiency, ,weakness, dizziness, stupor, difficult respiration, delirium, paralysis, convulsions, and death, usually due to respiratory failure.

Distribution

It grows naturally in the southern wheat belt in Western Australia. It grows in temperate places but can grow in the subtropics. It suits semiarid locations. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It can stand light frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil. Tolerates poor and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements. A drought tolerant plant once established, but it is not very wind resistant. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, but they are almost certainly not so hardy in Britain because of our cooler summers and colder, wetter winters. However, plants do experience frost and snow in their native habitat and so it might be worthwhile giving them a try in the mildest areas of the country. 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. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation. 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. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop.

Propagation

Surface sow seed in February or March in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Species from high altitudes benefit from 6–8 weeks of cold stratification at 2°C. Pot seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, as leaving them longer may reduce transplant success. Plant out into permanent positions in early summer with some cold protection in the first winter. Seed can also be sown in June, with young trees planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are at least 622 Eucalyptus species mostly originally in Australia.

Also Known As

Silver princess

References (11)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 413
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 568
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 42
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 294
Fl. austral. 3:227. 1867

Show all 11 references

Greig, D., 1996, Flowering Natives for Home Gardens. Angus & Robertson. p 166
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 96
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 41
Molyneux, B. and Forrester, S., 1997, The Austraflora A-Z of Australian Plants. Reed. p 81
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Calatogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 366
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/