San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Swamp Gum
Eucalyptus ovata
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 3, 2023
1. Swamp Gum Marker
Meet a Zoo Original
The swamp gum eucalyptus tree standing before you was one of the original lake-shore plantings at the Zoo, planted sometime around 1925. There are only about 20 of these trees known to exist in California, and this is one of the largest! Swamp gums can thrive in wet areas like the edge of this pond and may reach 80 ft. tall. However, this tree adapted to our windy coastal habitat and has spread out wide instead of tall. In its native Australia the swamp gum is a favorite food for koalas and in Tasmania swift parrots feast on the nectar found in the flowers.
Inset Image:
Looking north from “Monkey Island” in 1937, note the edge of the lake and the swamp gum tree.
Se sabe que extisten alrededor de 20 de estos árboles en California. ¡Este es uno de los más grandes! El Eucalipto de Pantano puede crecer en zonas húmedas como del borde de este estanque y puede alcanzar 80 pies de altura.
[The text also appears in Chinese.]
Erected by San Francisco Zoo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 37° 44.057′ N, 122° 30.144′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to Ocean Beach (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Monarch's Tale (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci (approx. 1½ miles away); Broderick – Terry Duel (approx. 2.1 miles away); Murphy Windmill (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Murphy Windmill (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Murphy Windmill (approx. 2.2 miles away); Granville House (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Also see . . . Swamp Gum. Grasslands: Biodiversity of South-Eastern Australia
"The seed and inner bark of some Eucalyptus species were used as a food source by Aboriginal people, as well as the gum and leaves for medicinal purposes and wood and bark for fibre."(Submitted on August 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 3, 2023
2. Swamp Gum Marker
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 3, 2023
3. Swamp Gum Tree and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 44 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
