Common Name:

General Information

Eucalyptus cneorifolia is an evergreen multi-stemmed shrub growing up to 5 metres tall, or a small tree up to 10 metres[].
The plant is a source of essential oils which have been used for medicinal purposes in the past..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southeastern South Australia

Habitat

Dense scrub.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus cneorifolia is native to the Mediterranean climate of southeastern South Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 30 metres. Rainfall can occurs mainly in the winter, with a mean annual rainfall of around 500mm. There are generally a few frosts a year[].
Eucalyptus species generally require a sunny position, succeeding in a wide range of well-drained, circumneutral soils of low to moderate fertility[].
The plant develops a lignotuber - this is a woody tuber that starts to develop near the base of seedlings and can become massive in the mature plants of some species. It possesses embedded vegetative buds, allowing the plant to regenerate following crown destruction, for example by fire[].
Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions[]. Many members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, and there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The essential oil has been used medicinally.

Other Uses

The leaves are a good source of essential oil[]. Total quantity of the oil, and its composition, can vary widely from plant to plant, but we have reports that the fresh leaves contain around 2.0% essential oil. The main components include phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cryptone[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow late winter/early spring in a sunny position in a greenhouse[, , ]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in early summer, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[].