red gum

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


1) A tree. See Gum. Thetwo words are frequently made one with the accent on the firstsyllable; compare Blue-gum.

2) A medicinal drug. An exudation from the bark of Eucalyptus rostrata, Schlecht, and other trees;see quotation, 1793. Sir Ranald Martin introduced itinto European medical practice.

177 J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 178:

«At the heart they [the trees] are full of veins, through whichan amazing quantity of an astringent red gum issues. This gumI have found very serviceable in an obstinate dysentery.»

Ibid. p. 233:

«A very powerfully astringent gum-resin, of a red colour,much resembling that known in the shops as Kino, and,for all medical purposes, fully as efficacious.»

1793. J. E. Smith, `Specimen of Botany of New Holland,'p. 10:

«This, Mr. White informs us, is one of the trees (for there areseveral, it seems, besides the Eucalyptus resinifera,mentioned in his Voyage, p. 231) which produce the red gum.»

[The tree is Ceratopetalum gummiferum, Smith, called byhim Three-leaved Red-gum Tree. It is now called Officer Plant or Christmas-bush (q.v.).]

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discoveryand Exploration of Australia,' vol. i. p. 42:

«The usual red gum was observed oozing out from the bark, andthis attracted their notice, as it did that of every explorerwho had landed upon the continent. This gum is a species ofkino, and possesses powerful astringent, and probably staining,qualities.»

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