The eucalyptus deglupta, commonly known as rainbow eucalyptus, is a tree native to the Northern hemisphere and originating from the island of Mindanao. It was initially termed Mindanao gum and is now locally called “bagras”.
People are typically in awe of these trees due to the bright spattering of colors dancing on its bark. Unlike other trees whose leaves change with the seasons, the rainbow eucalyptus also sheds its bark to reveal a technicolor display underneath.
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According to research by David Lee, a professor at Florida International University, the change happens on the microscopic level.
“When the bark is stripped away, bright green chlorophyll is readily visible through a thin transparent surface layer that’s just one cell thick,” the Treeographer explains. “As time passes, reddish-brown tannins build up in the surface layer, changing the apparent color. The chlorophyll beneath also dies down with time, creating the incredible fluorescent display that the tree is known for.”
The rainbow eucalyptus is typically found in the rainforests of Mindanao and some areas of Negros Island.
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