Eucalyptus

trees · Australia · oil glands · flowering plants

More than 700 species. Eucalyptus is a huge family of plants with over 700 different kinds, making it one of nature's biggest tree groups. Most of them are tall trees, though some are smaller shrubs.

Leaves full of oil. Eucalyptus leaves contain special oil glands that give them a fresh, strong smell when you crush them. This oil is so useful that people extract it to make medicine, cleaning products, and other things.

Covered flower caps. The name eucalyptus comes from Greek words meaning 'well covered,' because its flowers have a special cap that covers the stamens until they're ready to open. When the cap pops off, the flower can finally bloom!

Bark like paper. Eucalyptus bark can be smooth, fibrous, hard, or stringy, and many types peel off in colorful strips like wrapping paper. This peeling bark helps the trees survive fires and dry seasons.

Koala food and home. Koalas depend on eucalyptus leaves for almost their entire diet and live in the trees their whole lives. The leaves are tough to digest, but koalas have special stomachs just made for eating them.