Abstract Hydrodistillation of leaves of a new species of eucalypt, Eucalyptus dura, produced an oil rich in Î²-phellandrene (16.4%) and 1,8-cineole (22.6%). Chirality of the oil was unusual as most chiral compounds were represented by only one enantiomer. The monoterpenes Î±-pinene and limonene had both enantiomers present. The high Î²-phellandrene and 1,8-cineole content of the oil makes it suitable for use as a bacteriostat.