Eucalyptus is an ancient plant from the days of Gondwana; the oldest known eucalyptus fossils, found in Patagonia, show evidence of flowers, fruits and leaves that date back 52 million years. Many primordial plant species were preserved on the Australian continent after its isolation, most notably the eucalyptus; of the approximately 900 species of Eucatyptus, about 95% are native to Australia.
The broad-leaved peppermint (Eucalyptus dives) belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and finds its endemic home in South Eastern Australia, in an area that now forms the states of New South Wales and Victoria. The tree reaches heights of up to 20 metres, and its polymorphic leaves vary in size, colour and shape depending on their age. The young ovate leaves are waxy, blue-green and attached directly to the trunk. As they mature, they form dull green stems and become lancolate in shape. Between September and December, the tree bears a number of small white flowers that develop into woody seed pods after flowering. The Latin epithet 'dives' means 'rich' and refers to the abundance of essential oils found within the leaves, which have a strong peppermint aroma due to their pepiterone content.
