Eucalyptus benthamii

In cold regions in Brazil, such as the south-central part of the state of Paraná, the cultivation of the Eucalyptus genus is restricted to tolerant species such as E. benthamii. This species is originated from the Nepean River course located west of Sydney, Australia, a region in which it is endangered.

Features:

• High tolerance to heavy frost;
• Resistant to low- and medium-intensity frosts;
• Resistant to negative temperatures;
• The seedlings and young plants have sessile, opposite, elliptical to ovate leaves, of bluish green color;
• Adult plants have alternate petiolate and lanceolate leaves;
• Adult plants have rough bark, but coarse at the base;
• Inflorescence is axillary, with 4-7 flowers, peduncle 0.5 cm long and pedicel 0.25 cm long;
• The flower bud is ovate to clavate and the fruit is hemispherical and campanulate;
• It can reach up to 36 meters in height;
• The E. benthamii wood has distinct heartwood and sapwood: the heartwood is reddish brown and the sapwood is pinkish yellow, with moderate hardness, fine to medium texture, with basic density of 470 kg/m3;
• The potential uses of this species are wood, charcoal, and cellulose;
• Wood and coal have suitable features to be used as biomass for power generation, with potential to be used in blast furnaces in the steel sector;
• In Australia blooming occurs between March and May, but there can be variation as for the timing and intensity. However, the flower buds can be found throughout the year and the harvest of ripe fruit occurs between June and December. Fruiting occurs on about 5-meter tall young plants and between 6 and 10 years of age.