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Pōhutukawa

 

         Pōhutukawa

(Metrosideros excelsa)


If you drive around Rocks Road or Atawhai you will see the crimson red flowers of the New Zealand Christmas Tree in full bloom at this time of year. 

The Pōhutukawas belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) the same as Feijoa or Eucalyptus for example. Unfortunately that makes them susceptible to myrtle rust which is a fungal disease. It also belongs to the Metrosideros genus, which includes northern and southern Rātā. 

The Trees are naturally found in the North Island of New Zealand along the coast lines where sometimes harsh conditions make it hard or impossible for other plants to thrive. The Pōhutukawa leaves have a waxy coat that protects them. Not only that, but the flowers produce thousands of seeds that disperse by the slightest breeze and can survive up to a month in salt water and freezing environment. 

Maoris have used the nectar of the flowers to treat sore throats but it proofed to be rather difficult to collect it. Bees however are very good at collecting the nectar and Pōhutukawa honey has a very distinctive flavour that apparently the Queen took a liking to. Metrosideros means 'Iron Heart Wood' referring to the timber being very dense and strong. Maoris used it to make paddles, weapons or containers. Unfortunately in other parts of the world the Pōhutukawa  are seen of a bit of a problem pant and is listed as an invasive species if you believe it or not. 

The most famous Pōhutukawa can be found at Cape Reigna. The 800-year-old tree is reputed to guard the entrance to a sacred cave through which disembodied spirits pass on their way to the next world.



    

Comments

  1. HorticulturalCapers21 December 2020 at 14:12

    Love seeing the Pohutakawa at Christmas time. I know I am in NZ when I see the beautiful red flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. plants-with-benefits30 December 2020 at 19:12

    Really cool topic. Our native trees are so unique, I look forward to reading more. Being related to southern Rata, I get the 'Iron Heart Wood' thing. I use to log on the west coast and we came across a lot of Rata that had been felled in the fifties. These were over a meter through and even though they and had been down for 40yrs lying in damp sphagnum moss, only the bark and 10ml of the cambium had rotten. The inside once cut was like bright red glass. Unbelievably beautiful. Pretty sure it's the hardest wood in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Hedgerow10 January 2021 at 00:28

    Have a beautiful Pōhutukawa right outside my door. Look out on it from the decking. Its shedding now, the red leaves on the footpath and drive. Very informative, nice to get more familiar with.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stony Meadow Homestead20 January 2021 at 23:28

    Does Rata also produce such lovely flowers?

    ReplyDelete
  5. tasmed21 January 2021 at 20:48

    fantastic. kiwi as it gets. And the Feijoa when flowering always reminds me of a miniature Pohutukawa.

    ReplyDelete

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