The market is based upon the attractive juvenile growth of species with round or oval waxy leaves which have a silvery sheen. Once the tree attains the adult state, the foliage assumes the green, elongated leaf form and its value for foliage stems falls. Recently, however, a market has developed for adult material which has reached the flowering stage. The buds, open flowers and gumnuts of a number of eucalypt species have become the basis of a cut floral stem trade. With over 500 species, the genus has wide adaptation to temperate, subtropical and tropical climates.
Eucalypts are tolerant of most soil types and have a range of uses.
In addition to cut flowers and foliage, they are used for amenity horticulture, timber, pulpwood, fuelwood, shelter belts, soil amelioration, honey production and water-table lowering. The main constraint to industry development is lack of cohesion in the cut flower and foliage industry, and reluctance to communicate and co-operate. A further constraint is the lack of superior cultivars in Australia, which results in lack of uniformity in yield and quality of product. Export of fresh cut flowers and foliage is the area with most potential for expansion. The most important personal skill requirement for the eucalypt flower and foliage industry, is recognition of the intensive nature of production.