Growing up in Southern California, I remember the spicy aroma in the air when the Eucalyptus trees dropped their leaves, leaving them to decompose in a pile. Little did I know that there are more than 700 types of Eucalyptus species!
On a trip to visit the Jerusalem botanical gardens, I was amazed to find four different species lined up in a row, making it much easier to compare what makes them unique.
From left to right, sitting in groups of two-three per species:
- Red Ironbark (or Mugga Ironbark) – E. sideroxylon. Deeply furrowed black bark with a tinge of blue in the leaves.
- Red River Gum – E. camaldulensis. It has at least 100 years of history being grown in Israel, which you can read about here. It has a lighter bark that peels, curls, and falls off. The leaves are the second brightest shade of green among the group.
- Gray Ironbark – E. fusiformis. Like the Red Ironbark, this tree has furrowed bark, but wears a lighter gray coloring with dark green leaves.
- Flooded Gum (or Rose Gum) – E. grandis. The bark is nearly white and smooth, with bright green leaves. One of the tallest among Eucalyptus trees, they can reach up to 80 m / 260 ft tall!
Waunder 