Sydney peppermint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sydney peppermint |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Eucalyptus piperita in Maranoa Gardens | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
|
| Species: |
piperita
|
 |
|
| E. piperita, field distribution | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Synonyms
Eucalyptus aromatica (Salisb.) Domin
Eucalyptus bottii Blakely Eucalyptus piperita Sm. subsp. piperita Eucalyptus piperita subsp. urceolaris (Maiden & Blakely) L.A.S.Johnson & Blaxell Eucalyptus piperita var. laxiflora Benth. Eucalyptus piperita Sm. var. piperita Eucalyptus urceolaris Maiden & Blakely Metrosideros aromatica Salisb. |
|
The Sydney peppermint (scientific name: Eucalyptus piperita) is a small to medium-sized forest tree. It is also known as the urn-fruited peppermint. This tree grows naturally in New South Wales, Australia.
Contents
What Does the Sydney Peppermint Look Like?
The Sydney peppermint tree has rough, grey bark on its main trunk. This bark feels like fine fibers. However, the branches are smooth and white.
Its adult leaves are a dull blue-green color. They often have an uneven shape. In late spring to mid-summer, the tree grows bright yellow-green flowers. These flowers appear in groups of seven or more.
The fruit of the Sydney peppermint is shaped like an urn or a barrel. This shape is especially noticeable on trees growing on the sides of valleys.
How the Sydney Peppermint Got Its Name
.jpg)
The first people to collect samples of Eucalyptus piperita were from the First Fleet. This was a group of ships that brought the first European settlers to Australia. John White, a surgeon and naturalist on the fleet, collected these samples.
Later, in 1790, a scientist named James Edward Smith wrote about the tree. He gave it the name piperita. This name comes from the word "peppermint." Smith noticed that the tree's oil smelled very much like the peppermint plant we know.
White's book, Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, included a picture of the tree's leaves and old fruit. However, it did not show any flowers.
Where Does the Sydney Peppermint Grow?
Sydney peppermint trees are found in the tablelands and coastal areas of central and southern New South Wales. They especially like to grow on the sides of valleys.
Early Uses of Peppermint Oil
The oil from the leaves of the Sydney peppermint tree was used for stomach upsets. It was found to contain chemicals like piperitone and phellandrene.
An Australian botanist, Joseph Maiden, believed that Dennis Considen was the first person to discover the medical value of this oil. Considen was a surgeon on the First Fleet. In 1788, he wrote a letter saying that the Australian peppermint tree was as good as, or even better than, English peppermint.
Considen sent a sample of the oil to England for more study. John White, another surgeon, also helped by documenting the discovery. He organized for oil samples to be sent back to England. The surgeons thought the oil would be helpful because its smell was so similar to English peppermint.
Images for kids
-
Eucalyptus piperita in Maranoa Gardens
-
E. piperita, field distribution
-
Plate 23 of John White's Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, showing leaves and fruit of E. piperita (Only the centre and right images portray E. piperita; the fruit on the left was later shown to be E. capitellata.)
See also
In Spanish: Menta piperita de Sydney para niños
