How does the ghost gum survive?

Answer 1

The ghost gum is a species of Eucalyptus, and Eucalyptus trees are specially adapted to the dry Australian conditions. Ghost gums have wide, spreading canopies which redirect the limited rain that falls down the trunk to concentrate around the roots.

The leaves of a ghost gum tree hang down, rather than horizontally, minimising evaporation and hence water loss (transpiration), as they are not as exposed to sunlight. The leaves usually have equal numbers of stoma on each side, unlike trees which hold their leaves horizontally - they tend to have all or most of their stoma on the lower side. The leaves also tend to have a thick, waxy coating which also minimises water loss.

Ghost gums have characteristically white or grey trunks, which is more likely to reflect the sunlight, rather than absorb the sunlight like other species in more bushy areas do.