Eucalyptus cloeziana
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Eucalyptus cloeziana Common Names: Gympie Messmate, Iron Gum, Dead Finish,
Yellow Messmate Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Myrtales Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Eucalyptus Species: E. cloeziana Synonyms: Eucalyptus stannariensis F.M.Bailey Morphological Description Eucalyptus cloeziana is a tall, evergreen tree, typically 10–25 meters in shallow
soils and up to 45–55 meters in deeper soils or plantations. Its key
characteristics include: · Bark: Thick, rough, flaky to fibrous, brownish to grey on the
trunk; smooth, grey to orange on upper branches, peeling in strips (Fern,
2024). · Leaves: Juvenile leaves ovate, adult leaves lance-shaped to curved
(10–16 cm × 1.5–3 cm), dull green above, paler beneath; arranged alternately
(Prance & Jongkind, 2015). · Flowers: White, in groups of seven, axillary or terminal umbels, 1–2
cm diameter; bloom December–January, attracting pollinators like bees (Kew
Science, n.d.). · Fruit: Woody, hemispherical capsules (0.5–0.7 cm), containing
small, dark seeds; dispersed by gravity (Fern, 2024). Distribution and Habitat Eucalyptus cloeziana is native to Queensland, Australia, with introductions in
tropical and subtropical regions: · Geographic Range: Endemic to Queensland (Gympie to Monto
regions); introduced to Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, China, and Zimbabwe;
cultivated in Nigeria for timber and reforestation (Kew Science, n.d.). · Habitat: Grows in open forests, woodlands, and savannas on tablelands
and slopes; prefers well-drained, neutral to acidic, medium-textured soils (pH
4.5–6.5); thrives at elevations up to 2,350 m with 700–2,000 mm annual rainfall
and a dry season up to 5 months (Fern, 2024). · Ecological Role: Dominant canopy species, providing habitat
for birds and insects; supports soil stabilization in reforestation projects
(Burkill, 1985). Ethnopharmacology Eucalyptus cloeziana has emerging ethnopharmacological significance, particularly
due to its essential oil, with studies validating traditional and potential
medicinal uses in Nigeria and Queensland (Ololade & Olawore, 2017): · Antioxidant: Seed essential oil exhibited strong free radical scavenging
(IC50: 2.8 µg/mL) and reducing power (EC50: 1.5 µg/mL), surpassing ascorbic
acid, due to high phenolic content (199.18 µg/mg gallic acid equivalents)
(Ololade & Olawore, 2017). · Anti-inflammatory: In Nigeria, leaf extracts are used for
inflammation. Seed essential oil reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats
by 68.8%, comparable to standard anti-inflammatory drugs, attributed to
1,8-cineole (23.8%) and α-pinene (Ololade & Olawore, 2017). · Analgesic: Seed essential oil inhibited neurogenic (81.3%) and
inflammatory pain (80.3%) in formalin-induced pain models in mice, suggesting
potent antinociceptive properties via opioid and non-opioid pathways (Ololade
& Olawore, 2017). · Antimicrobial: Essential oil showed broad-spectrum activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans (inhibition zones: 8–20 mm), supporting
its use for infections; activity linked to terpenoids like 1,8-cineole and
tasmanone (Ololade & Olawore, 2017). · Respiratory Relief: In Queensland, Aboriginal communities use
eucalyptus leaves for respiratory ailments. While specific to related species
like E. benthamii,
the high 1,8-cineole content in E. cloeziana suggests potential for treating colds and coughs, though direct
studies are needed (Akthar et al., 2016). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Eucalyptus cloeziana essential oil is generally safe at low
doses but can be toxic in high concentrations. Ingestion of undiluted oil may
cause nausea, vomiting, or neurological symptoms. Skin contact with
concentrated oil may lead to irritation or dermatitis. Acute toxicity studies
on related eucalyptus oils showed no mortality at doses up to 2,000 mg/kg in
rats, but high doses caused mild liver enzyme elevation (ALT increased by 10%).
Use is contraindicated in pregnancy, for children, and without dilution or
medical supervision. Avoid inhalation in high concentrations to prevent
respiratory irritation (Salehi et al., 2019). Additional Uses · Timber: Heartwood, yellow-brown, heavy (density 950–1,100 kg/m³),
and termite-resistant; used in Nigeria for poles, construction, furniture, and
flooring; requires careful drying to prevent checking (Fern, 2024). · Reforestation: Planted in Nigeria for erosion control and reforestation;
fast-growing, suitable for degraded lands (Burkill, 1985). · Ornamental: Cultivated in Nigerian urban areas for its attractive form
and shade (Fern, 2024). · Biofuel: Wood explored for biomass energy due to high calorific value
(Fern, 2024). References
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