What Australian plant can be called "natural pump"? Plants for draining the soil of the site Healing properties of eucalyptus

Well, what other tree, if not miraculous, could be born on amazing land Green Continent. Eucalyptus has now settled all over the world, but nowhere is it loved as much as at home.

Well, what other tree, if not wonderful, could be born on the amazing land of the Green Continent. Eucalyptus has now settled all over the world, but nowhere is it loved as much as at home. Koalas, of course, have special feelings for him, which do not take anything else but the leaves of this pump tree in their mouths. It is both food and water for them.

These trees are called pumps for their exceptional ability to absorb moisture - they not only consume it in large quantities, but also evaporate it. An adult tree can “suck” and evaporate more than 300 liters of water per day (for comparison, birch is only 40). Therefore, eucalyptus trees are often planted in swampy areas for drainage. And then something useful can be made from wood.

Eucalyptus wood is wonderful - dense, smooth, resinous and heavy (heavier than water), almost does not rot. Sheathing for ships, supports for bridges, handles of carpentry tools are often made from it. Excellent paper is obtained from the bark.

But you won’t wait for the shadow from the miracle tree. Even under the largest representatives (and they are truly gigantic - up to 100 meters in height and up to 20 meters in girth) you can’t hide from the heat - its leaves always turn edge to the sun, apparently, they are afraid of burns. But in such a forest it is light and easy to breathe - the air is filled with a fresh smell essential oils. And they are known to kill various harmful bacteria. True, for this, the leaves must still be processed, the disinfected air of eucalyptus forests is most likely a myth.

Australians respect eucalyptus for its unusual love of life - frequent fires that occur in the country's dry climate are not able to destroy green spaces. Eucalyptus trees crack in the fire, and after a few days, shoots begin to grow violently from the cracks (the olive was revered by the Greeks for about the same properties). And some botanists claim that in a number of species of eucalyptus, the fruits do not burst unless a fire occurs. That is, they do not just endure fire, they simply need it.

In Australia and Tasmania, there are several hundred species of eucalyptus - scientists have not yet decided how many. According to some sources - 150, in others their number reaches 800. But no matter how many different types eucalyptus trees did not grow on the hot land of the Green Continent, all of them will enjoy the attention and ardent affection of the locals.

Eucalyptus - Latin name Eucalyptus are tall, fast growing tree and shrub species. homeland of the green giants flora is the most small continent- Australia and the islands closest to the mainland. Europeans brought the evergreen eucalyptus (tree) to France in the middle of the 19th century for growing in gardens, and dwarf forms in greenhouses. Since then, these green skyscrapers, natural pumps and a thunderstorm of microbes have spread around the world.

Plant that changes skin

On Earth, there are not many representatives of the flora that are freed from the bark on their own. The Russian writer V. Soloukhin was struck by this fact when he was vacationing in the Caucasus. He remarked that the eucalyptus is a tree "forever rejuvenating". also capable of shedding the bark on its own. For this feature, the tree is popularly called "shameless".

Powerful and durable trunks, healing essential oil, leaves that do not shed eucalyptus (tree) are widely used. This description includes many interesting details. For example, outer layer the bark crumbles in March, when in southern hemisphere autumn comes. Then the trunks and branches of eucalyptus trees become gray, greenish, yellow, sometimes bluish.

Description of eucalyptus

The leaves of the tree are opposite and alternate, and their size depends on age. The main features of the leaf apparatus are the integral form of the plate, the presence of intercellular glands with essential oil. Mature leaves are lanceolate, with a pointed tip. The length is 12 cm, the width is 2.5 cm. young age they have a more pronounced silvery hue, rounded or

Eucalyptus is a tree that does not give shade, because the leaf blades turn edge towards the sun. White flowers - bisexual, collected in umbellate or paniculate inflorescences, there are also single ones. The sepals fuse with the ovary, and the petals become woody, resulting in the formation of a fruit - a box with a lid. Inside are small seeds that spill out when the valves open.

Genus "Eucalyptus"

Flowering evergreen trees and shrubs belong to the myrtle family. In Australia, in the last century, 90% of natural plantations were eucalyptus forests. There are about 700 species that unite the genus Eucalyptus, most of them come from Australia, only 15 owe their origin to the islands of Oceania.

For over 100 years, eucalyptus (tree) has been cultivated in tropical and temperate latitudes, on Africa and America. Several heat-loving species that are grown in the Mediterranean, the United States, Brazil, the Middle East, and China have become widespread. Eucalyptus includes:

• rod-shaped;
• almond;
• ball;
• ashen.

They do not have a strong aroma, but they attract bees. These nectar and pollen collectors in Australia prefer eucalyptus. Essential oils of different types of eucalyptus are used in alternative and official medicine, are used in perfumery, cosmetology. healing properties also possess the leaves of these amazing Australian plants.

Eucalyptus is the tallest tree in the world

Trees are characterized by rapid, rapid growth. You can find quite large specimens that have reached only ten years of age. Here are some amazing facts:

• almond eucalyptus already in the first few years of life grows up to 3 m with a trunk thickness of up to 6 cm;
• trees in vivo at the age of 5 they can have a height of 12 m, a thickness of up to 20 cm, old specimens with a height of more than 150 m are known (30 m reaches such a girth;
• the height (eucalyptus) of the trunk at the age of 20 is usually 30-40 m;
• genetically modified trees reach 27-30 m in height by 5-6 years.

The famous Russian naturalist writer K. Paustovsky compared eucalyptus and conifers. It turns out that at the age of five it is amazing plant yields more wood than spruce or fir at 120 years of age.

The benefits of a "green skyscraper"

The height of a eucalyptus tree at 20 years old is the size of a 15-storey building. Fully mature and ready for industrial felling planting at the age of 25-30 years. By the age of 40, trees can be taller and thicker than bicentennial oaks. From eucalyptus get paper, cardboard. World famous for his firm and durable wood comparable in quality to black walnut. It almost does not rot, sinks in water, repels wood-boring insects.

Eucalyptus trunks are used where the durability of the material is needed. Piles of straight and smooth trees will stand in sea ​​water two decades without signs of decay. Wood of different species is unequally colored, differs in texture. Yellow, olive, white and reddish tones predominate, which are especially appreciated in the furniture industry and building decoration.

transgenic trees

Eucalyptus wood is difficult to light, but the charcoal produced from it is different. high quality. Biotechnology departments of industrial companies have created genetically modified specimens that grow 40% faster even in dense plantings, produce more wood and coal. Plantations of transgenic plants - eucalyptus, pine, poplar, papaya and other fruits, rapeseed, soybeans, vegetables - occupy all more space on the ground. Their experimental cultivation has been carried out since the 1980s in different countries. With the help of these plants, food, raw material problems meet the world's ever-increasing energy needs.

For more than 10 years, Israeli biotechnologists have been studying the possibilities of industrial cultivation of GMO trees of eucalyptus and poplar. The mass introduction of such commercial plantings is restrained only by laws in the field of biological safety. They regulate the scope of circulation of transgenic products, but are not accepted in all countries.

The consequences of the introduction of GMOs have not been sufficiently studied, but it is already clear that transgenic eucalyptus trees are more resistant to pests and can have an unaccounted impact on the soil and living organisms. Possible consequences associated with in ecosystems. Eucalyptus and poplar scatter pollen over a wide area, live for decades, therefore harmful effects persist longer.

What can be dangerous modified eucalyptus (tree)? Where a transgenic specimen grows, surrounded by natural forms, their mutual cross-pollination can occur. This, according to experts in the field of biological safety, is fraught with uncontrollable consequences. Nightmarish scenes can come true science fiction films when the shoots grow at an incredible speed and break through the walls.

Eucalyptus in landscape design

The evergreen plant has excellent windproof properties, drains damp soils. Eucalyptus roots are able to absorb an unusually large volume of water, which is why the tree is called the "green pump". The landscape architect will name many more valuable features that eucalyptus has.

The tree at home is grown more and more often, it is unpretentious, requires minimal care. More time and care will be needed to form the bonsai with pruning and the main shoot. AT landscape design eucalyptus is suitable for stabilizing soil on slopes, slopes and banks of water bodies, to prevent erosion. The plant prefers moist but well-drained sandy loamy soils (pH value - from neutral to slightly acidic).

Healing properties of eucalyptus

Australian hospitals have long hung eucalyptus branches to disinfect the air. Phytoncides secreted by the plant have an antiseptic and soothing effect. Leaf infusion is used in traditional medicine as an expectorant, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent. Infected wounds are washed with 15% decoction eucalyptus leaves(pre-sterilized).

Eucalyptus oil

The most suitable for treatment is the essential oil obtained from the type of eucalyptus ball (ball). As a medicinal raw material, only the old leaves of the plant are suitable. They are harvested in summer and autumn, when the percentage of oil rises. Both fresh and dried leaves can be subjected to extraction to obtain volatile aromatic substances. Eucalyptus oil is a colorless, yellow or greenish liquid with a pleasant smell. This leaf processing product perfectly refreshes the air, saturates it with a useful and pleasant aroma. Eucalyptol, which is part of the oil, has an antiseptic and expectorant effect, helps with diseases oral cavity and throat. It is used in sprays and lozenges for sore throat, flu.

For growing eucalyptus in a room, it is better to use seeds of relatively undersized species, place seedlings and seedlings in a small dish. It will require annual transshipment or transplantation, intense sunlight and good moisture.

The fragrant leaves of each type of eucalyptus have their own aroma, which combines notes of lemon, rose, violet, lilac. Most of all, the smell of oil resembles laurel, turpentine, camphor. In rooms where eucalyptus is grown, trees delight the eye with elegant and useful foliage, purify the air with phytoncides.

Most tall trees!

• "Eucalyptus"
  Green "skyscrapers" that reach 100 meters in height with a trunk over 30 meters thick - these are eucalyptus, evergreen trees. An interesting feature eucalyptus is that they do not shed their leaves, but the bark, after which their trunk acquires a light yellow or blue color and becomes smooth and shiny. This huge tree is native to Australia.

  Eucalyptus from Greek translates as "I cover well", which is not true, since the trees of this species do not shade the area near them at all. This is due to the fact that eucalyptus has a specific arrangement of leaves, they are turned to the sun not by the surface, as we are used to seeing, but by the edge, therefore Sun rays freely pass through the leaves of eucalyptus and the shadow is not formed.

  Eucalyptus trees grow very quickly, in the first year of their life they reach 3 meters in height. For 20 years, one hectare of eucalyptus forest yields 800 cubic meters. m. wood. No other tree can produce so much material even in 140 years. Thanks to this feature, eucalyptus trees are very useful trees, in addition, their wood is very strong and durable. Therefore, it is used for the construction of ships, dams, furniture, houses. In addition, eucalyptus wood almost never rots. Another positive property of this tree is that it is almost impossible to light it, at the same time, the charcoal extracted from it burns very well. Most species of eucalyptus (and there are more than 300 in total) have tannins for leather processing.

  In medicine, a valuable essential oil extracted from eucalyptus tree. By the way, eucalyptus leaves contain a lot of it. It is also used to make ointments, varnishes, soaps and perfumes.

  Eucalyptus grows in moist soil near lakes, rivers and sea ​​coast. The inhabitants of Australia say: "If you see tall trees with blue trunks, then there must be a river bed near them." Eucalyptus is sometimes referred to as the pump tree because of its ability to drain the soil. The root system of this plant absorbs a lot of moisture from the soil, which then evaporates through the leaves. By drying up swamps, eucalyptus destroys malarial mosquitoes, which brings extraordinary benefits to people. It is thanks to this property that eucalyptus trees are now planted in different countries of the world. Land freed from swamps, people use to grow crops.

• Sequoia
  Coniferous trees North America- sequoias, as well as eucalyptus reach from above 100 meters in height, but at the same time their trunks are thicker - 45 meters. These trees have been growing on Earth since the pre-glacial period. On average, their age is 3-4 thousand years. All large sequoia specimens are protected by law, they are even given names, such as "General Sherman" and "Abraham Lincoln".

  The history of the name of the sequoia tree is quite interesting. it a big tree first called California pine or mammoth tree, since the ends of the branches bent upwards resembled the fangs of mammoths. In 1859, the Swedish botanist Linnaeus decided to name this huge tree in honor of the English commander Wellington. The new name "Wellingtonia Huge" did not exist for long. The Americans decided that such a significant plant should be named after them. national hero— George Washington. After that, the tree was called "huge Washington".

  Disputes over how best to name this tree did not subside. After some time, it nevertheless got its name - Sequoia, in honor of the leader of one of the Indian tribes - Sequoia, it was he who led the liberation struggle against foreign invaders for many years. Some people still call this tree "mammoth".

Last year I went with my boyfriend to rest in. We just rented an apartment, so there was no all-inclusive. But we explored everything Black Sea coast wherever the train could take us. We even got to. But most of all I remember the Sochi arboretum. Especially cable car! A unique feeling when you "float" over the raging green sea. It was there for the first time in my life that I saw a huge live eucalyptus, not his nasty gargle.

Australian eucalyptus - natural pump

He hails from Australia, but as I said, these trees (imported) can also be found in our native lands, near our closest neighbors in Abkhazia or in distant France, Africa and America. In general, wherever it is warm and swampy enough, because it is for the high water consumption that this tree is called " natural pump"(one eucalyptus is able to evaporate up to 180 liters of water per day). Evergreen eucalyptus, refers to myrtle family and can reach 150 meters high. Its Latin name "Eucalyptus" translates as "well hidden" - this is because the buds are completely hidden in green "capsules" until the very beginning of flowering. And the bark regularly falls off the eucalyptus in such tatters, and the tree looks as if huge cat sharpened his claws on him.

Application

Eucalyptus trees have found application not only in draining the area. Due to the fact that they have dense, durable wood, this type of wood is used in shipbuilding, for the manufacture of sleepers and beams and other products that require increased strength. Eucalyptus leaves contain a large number of essential oils (up to 5%), this determines its antiseptic properties. Most for use in medical The following types are suitable for purposes:

• eucalyptus spherical (Eucalyptus globulus);
• ash eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea);
• eucalyptus rod-shaped (Eucalyptus viminalis).

Because of this high content active substances tree poisonously for all kinds of animals. Only koalas able to feed on eucalyptus leaves, their digestion and metabolism are slow, it is this delay that allows their body to cope with the "poison".

And also - this is the first tree that I managed to smell at a distance of several meters. It was not the flowers that smelled, as happens with poles, but the whole tree!