Eucalyptus

About 600; for a full list, see

Hazards

Eucalypts have a habit of dropping entire branches off as they grow. Eucalyptus forests are littered with dead branches. For this reason, one never sets up camp under an overhanging branch. This may be the real reason behind the drop bear story told to children - the idea is to keep them away from under dangerous branches.

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The Australian Ghost Gum Eucalyptus papuana is also termed the "widow maker", due to the high number of pioneer tree-felling workers who were killed by falling branches. Many deaths were actually caused by simply camping under them, as they shed whole and very large branches to conserve water during periods of drought.

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The ghost gum's leaves were used by Aborigines to catch fish. Soaking the leaves in water releases a mild tranquiliser which stuns fish temporarily.

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