Eucalyptus
Original title: Eucalipto
Entry on the eucalyptus in Madeira, chiefly Eucalyptus globulus from Australia, noting its rapid growth, heavy water use and medicinal use of its leaves against diabetes.
Eucalyptus globulus, a native of Australia, is the only species of the genus Eucalyptus commonly found in Madeira, where it grows at Monte (‘hill’), at Choupana (‘hut’) and in various other places on the island. It reaches great size and grows very rapidly. It should not, however, be planted near springs, because its roots draw up a great quantity of water.
According to Dr Jorge Perez, a distinguished physician and naturalist of Tenerife, it is E. globulus, and not E. collossea as some newspapers have stated, that acts on the nervous system and stops the secretion of glucose in diabetes. The first of these species is richer in essential oil than the second, and this is why its leaves should be preferred in preparing the infusion used to treat that disease. The same physician also says that eucalyptus infusion is a medicine to be administered with caution, since cases of poisoning caused by it have been reported when it is taken in excess.
Eucalyptus robusta is also cultivated in Madeira, and on the quinta (country estate) of Mr Luís da Rocha Machado, in the parish (freguesia) of Monte, there are three species of Eucalyptus, one of which appears to be E. longifolia. We are told that E. collossea has recently been sown in Madeira.
In this article
Place
Places mentioned · 04
Abroad
- Australia
Native land of Eucalyptus globulus.
Country named as the main region of origin of acacias and the native land of Eucalyptus globulus. It is also the only other known breeding area of Pelagodroma marina. A major believed António de Abreu may have sighted it.
- Choupana
Funchal. Locality where Eucalyptus globulus is found.
Choupana is a locality in Santa Maria Maior parish, Funchal, south of Pico do Infante, where the Levada da Serra do Faial ends. It has the Quintas do Miradouro and da Choupana, where a fête was given during the royal visit, grows Acacia dealbata and eucalyptus, and was hit by a shell in the 1917 bombardment.
- Monte
Funchal. One of the places where eucalyptus is common and site of the Rocha Machado quinta.
Parish of Nossa Senhora do Monte above Funchal, at about 600 m, where leafing occurs later than in Funchal. It contains the localities of Jardim Botânico, Igreja and Marmeleiros and the Quinta de Sant'Ana. The Elucidário notes its many plants, such as acacias and Sonchus fruticosus.
- Tenerife
Spain. Home of the physician Jorge Perez.
Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands. The Elucidário notes its celebrated Orotava dragon tree, felled by a gale on 23 January 1868, the introduction of the boganga to Madeira from there in 1836 or 1837, and the blending there of Madeira wine with cheap local wine. It was also a source of Canarian immigrants to Madeira.
People
People mentioned · 02-
Physician and naturalist of Tenerife cited on the action of Eucalyptus globulus infusion in treating diabetes and its risk of poisoning.
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Owner of a quinta in Monte parish where three eucalyptus species grew.