eucalyptus

The word "eucalyptus" refers to a large group of flowering trees and shrubs that come mainly from Australia, although they are now grown in many warm and mild parts of the world. These plants are easy to recognize by their aromatic leaves, which release a strong, fresh, camphor-like smell when crushed. That scent has made eucalyptus oil a familiar ingredient in cough drops, chest rubs, and aromatherapy products.

But eucalyptus is more than just a source of soothing scent. Many kinds grow quickly and are widely planted for timber, paper production, windbreaks, and landscaping. In Australia, they are a major part of the natural landscape and support wildlife such as koalas, which feed mainly on the leaves of certain species.

The name "eucalyptus" comes from Greek words meaning "well covered." It describes the little cap that covers the flower bud before it opens. Depending on where you are, you might see very tall gum trees, smaller bushy forms called mallees, or kinds with peeling bark and hanging branches. Whether people notice it for its clean smell, its useful wood, or its place in Australian nature, eucalyptus is one of the world's best-known and most distinctive trees.