As impressive as the eucalyptus is with its blue foliage and intense smell, its fruits are inconspicuous. Nevertheless, there are many facts worth knowing about the small brown capsules. In this article you will learn about the fruits of the eucalyptus. Find out everything about the origin and the external characteristics.
Eucalyptus trees bear capsule fruits
Optical features
- Infructescences are reminiscent of small cones
- capsule fruits
- Dry
- woody
- conical
- Ribbed
- Flat
- Valve-like openings at the ends
meaning of the name
The handsome arrangement of the flowers gave the eucalyptus its name. The pistils and stamens are reminiscent of a cap enclosing the fruit. The name comes from the Greek: eu (beautiful) and kalyptus (cap).
fruit ripening
The fruits of the eucalyptus develop from either a red, white or yellow flower. Deciduous trees are pollinated by insects or birds. The valve-like openings at the ends of the fruit release the seeds. In the same way, you can also get the seeds to propagate the tree. However, if you propagate your eucalyptus independently, no flowering - and therefore no fruit - is to be expected.
Are the fruits edible?
Many people associate eucalyptus with the aromatic cough drop made from the extracts. It has a healing effect on bronchitis and colds. Nevertheless, you should not eat the fruits of the eucalyptus, especially not in the raw state. Surprisingly, eucalyptus is slightly poisonous. Only the leaves and bark of the tree are used in medicine. But here, too, be warned about the essential oils. Only use this in diluted form. The respiratory tract of the human body is very sensitive to the intense aroma.