Common Name: Strawberry Gum

General Information

Eucalyptus olida is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild and also cultivated for its leaves, which are used as a food flavouring and also as the source of an essential oil which is traded internationally.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - northern New South Wales

Habitat

Restricted but locally abundant, in dry sclerophyll forest or woodland on shallow infertile soil on acid granite[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].
The glossy green leaves are intensely aromatic[].
The most recent example of a new eucalyptus oil product is that of E-methyl cinnamate, obtained from Eucalyptus olida. This natural flavouring ingredient was discovered in near pure form in high yield for the first time in 1985 and its production has subsequently been commercialised in Australia, from where it is exported[].
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

The dried leaf is used as a spice product in bushfood cooking in Australia, especially with fruit[].
Both the dried leaves and the essential oil are used to enhance the flavour of cooked fruit dishes, desserts or spiced jams, bringing out the classic 'berry' flavour[].

The essential oil is used as a flavouring in commercial food products[, ].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a high antioxidant herbal tea[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves contain from 2 - 6% (fresh weight) essential oil. The oil is mainly comprised of E-methyl cinnamate (98%) plus best-trans-ocimene (2%)[]. It is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery[].

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[].