Blue gum - Eucalyptus
Blue gum is a useful tree. It is known as the "fever tree" due to its historical use in malaria control.
Eucalyptus is a plant genus of over 750 species of trees. One of the most commonly cultivated species is Blue gum which is also known as fever tree because it has been used to combat malaria fever.
Blue gum trees have been planted in swampy areas for draining the soil, e.g. on the Po Plain in northern Italy. As the soil dries out, the habitats of the malaria mosquito larvae disappear, and fewer people become infected.
Blue gum is the most commonly cultivated species of Eucalyptus, both in Australia and the rest of the world. The tree grows quickly, and the wood is hard and durable. It is used for timber production and for the production of paper pulp.
The leaves from the blue gum are the primary source of eucalyptus oil. The oil is used as a flavouring, e.g. in sweets, as a herbal remedy for cold symptoms and in creams for treating aches and pains after sports.
Fact box:
Greenhouse location: Mediteranien house
Danish name: Febertræ
Latin name: Eucalyptus globulus
Family: Myrtle family / Myrtaceae
Natural habitat: Australia