The Eucalyptus Tree's Role in Greece's Environment

One of the things that Australians might see and least expect to in Greece is a eucalyptus tree growing strong in the Mediterranean sun. Introduced into the country by the visionary of Greek botany, Theodoros G. Orphanides in the 19 th century, the tree has come to play an intricate role in the environmental and public health sectors in Greece.

Orphanides, the professor at the University of Athens, was highly active in the Greek modernization in botany, which equals the development of Greek botany as it is known today. Perceiving the potential of foreign kinds of flora as the means to address the issues which Greek culture and nature were facing at the time, Orphanides was quick to see the potential that the eucalyptus had in his hands. The tree was valued for the fact that it could grow at an incredibly rapid pace, as well as the fact that it could grow in the location that would have no other plant breed growing in it – namely, the swamp.

As the water was absorbed by the eucalyptus at a large pace, the area was dried out by the tree’s roots. Therefore, the tree had soon started clearing out the marsh lands of Greece, thus providing for a massive decrease in the population of mosquitoes and, therefore, the outbreak of malaria. Today, the eucalyptus tree not only provides a perfect example of the effective biological adaptation, but also symbolizes the deep connection between Australia and Greece as countries. In addition, the tree has created perfect conditions for the enhancement of local flora and fauna biodiversity, and provided the region with a solid spring of wood and oil.