or Peppermint-tree
a name given to various Eucalypts, from the aromatic natureof their leaves or extracted essence. See quotation belowfrom White, 1790. There are many species, and variousvernacular names, such as Brown Peppermint, Dandenong P., Narrow-leaved P., White P.,etc. are given in various parts to the same species.See Maiden's note on Eucalyptus amygdalina,under Gum. Other vernacular names of differentspecies are Bastard-Peppermint, Peppermint-Box, Peppermint-Gum.
1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales' (Appendix by Dr.Smith or John Hunter), pp. 226-27:
«The Peppermint Tree, Eucalyptus piperita. . . .The name of peppermint-tree has been given to this plant byMr. White on account of the very great resemblance between theessential oil drawn from its leaves and that obtained from thePeppermint ( Mentha piperita) which grows in England.This oil was found by Mr. White to be much more efficacious inremoving all cholicky complaints than that of the EnglishPeppermint, which he attributes to its being less pungent andmore aromatic.»
1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' c. ii. p. 23:
«The peppermint, so called from the leaves imparting to thetaste that flavour, grows everywhere throughout the island.»
1874. Garnet Walch, I Head over Heels,' p. 75:
«Well, mate, it's snug here by the logs
That's peppermint – – burns like a match.»
1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields,' p. 30:
«A woody gully filled with peppermint and stringy-bark trees.»
1884. R. L. A. Davies, `Poems and Literary Remains,'p. 231:
«The peppermints rose like pillars, with funereal branches hung,
Where the dirge for the dead is chanted,
And the mourning hymn is sung.»
1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 116:
«Down among the roots of a peppermint bush.»
1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' 439:
«It [ Eucalyptus capitella, Smith] is one of thenumerous `peppermints' of New South Wales and Victoria,and is noteworthy as being the first eucalypt so called,at any rate in print.»