Metrosideros excelsa (New Zealand Christmas Tree; Settler's Christmas Tree or Pohutukawa)


Michael's Opinion

I have seen this tree in flower in New Zealand at Christmas and to say the least it is outstanding.

Botanical Information

FamilyMyrtaceae
GenusMetrosideros
Speciesexcelsa
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to New Zealand, first described by missionary Henry Williams in 1833, and first published in 1857
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
In the 1800s the New Zealand settlers used the flowers as table decorations for feasts and to decorate churches and dwellings. Metrosideros excelsa is also a part of Maori stories, representing blood. It can be used to stop bleeding and for coughs/colds. Fine bush honey can be made from this tree and the wood is used for ship-making, bearings and machine beds.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10 - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneCool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-1
Temperature (°F)30
Height20 - 30 m
Spread9 - 10 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJanuary, July, August, November, December

Description and Growing Information

ShapeLarge oval or rounded shape that is spreading with a low canopy.
LandscapeWindbreak along coastal shorelines because it is dense and salt tolerant. Can also be used as a hedge or specimen tree.
PropagationHardwood cuttings or by seed.
CultivationWell-drained, loam or sand soils that are moist to dry and in full sun. Tolerant to salt, smog, wind and drought. Extremely sensitive to frost. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH.
Notable SpecimensSan Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California, United States of America.
HabitatRocky cliffs and coastal shorelines.
Bark/Stem DescriptionCorky.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionLarge, oval shaped, covered in tiny hairs. Inflorescence buds are in clusters. Dormant buds are protected by bud scales. Vegetative and inflorescence buds are identical.
Leaf DescriptionSimple, oblong to ovate, 4 - 7 cm and can live for up to 2 years. Young leaves are hairy. Mature leaves have a wax coating and have soft dense hairs to reduce water loss. Leaf arrangement is opposite.
Flower DescriptionStamen are 4 – 7 cm. Inflorescence of broad compound cymes containing many flowers. Flowers in spring and summer.
Fruit DescriptionSmall (0.6 – 1.27 cm), hairy seed capsules with up to 30 in a cluster. Fruits develop in spring and summer. Capsules are opened by the wind to disperse seed.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is a greyish-brown to dark brown colour. The buds are white to light green. Leaves are dark-olive green. The underside of the mature leaves are white. The flowers are a showy crimson red colour with yellow tips. The buds are light greenish-grey.
Texture DescriptionThe barks texture is rough and stringy. The buds appear to be soft and fuzzy due to its tiny hairs. The leafs have a leathery texture when mature.

Photographs