In 1777, on Cook's third expedition, David Nelson collected a eucalypt on Bruny Island in southern Tasmania. This specimen was taken to the British Museum in London, and was named Eucalyptus obliqua by the French botanist L'Héritier, who was working in London at the time. He coined the generic name from the Greek roots eu and calyptos, meaning "well" and "covered" in reference to the operculum of the flower bud which protects the developing flower parts as the flower develops and is shed by the pressure of the emerging stamens at flowering.
in 1777, on Cook's thiRd exPeDition, david nElson colLECted A eucALypt oN BRunY Island In souTheRN TaSmanIa. this SPEcImeN WAs Taken to thE briTiSh museuM in lOndon, and was Named euCaLyptus obLiQUa By THE FrEnCh Botanist l'hérItiEr, Who was WORKinG IN lOnDon at tHE tImE. HE CoineD thE GeneriC naMe fRom the grEek roots eU aNd CAlypTos, meaNiNg "well" and "cOvered" iN reFerence To the OPeRculum oF thE floweR BUd whiCh prOtectS THe develOpinG flOwer Parts as The floWER DeveloPs anD is shEd By THE PRessure oF THE eMergiNg staMens At fLowering.