''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees,

shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...

s, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family

Myrtaceae Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All speci ...

. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The name derives from the Ancient Greek ''metra'' or " heartwood" and ''sideron'' or "iron". Perhaps the best-known species are the pōhutukawa (''M. excelsa''),

northern Northern may refer to the following: Geography * North, a point in direction * Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe * Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States * Northern Province, Sri Lanka * Northern Range, a ra ...

(''M. robusta'') and southern rātā (''M. umbellata'') of New Zealand, and '' ōhia lehua'' (''M. polymorpha''), from the

Hawaiian Islands The Hawaiian Islands ( haw, Nā Mokupuni o Hawai‘i) are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kur ...

Distribution

''Metrosideros'' is one of the most widely spread flowering plant genera in the Pacific.

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

has 21 species of ''Metrosideros'', New Zealand has 12, New Guinea has seven and Hawaii has 5. The genus is present on most other high

Pacific Islands Collectively called the Pacific Islands, the islands in the Pacific Ocean are further categorized into three major island groups: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Depending on the context, the term ''Pacific Islands'' may refer to one of se ...

, including Solomon Islands, Vanuatu,

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

, Samoa, Cook islands,

French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , song = " Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" , image_map = French Polynesia on the globe (French Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of Frenc ...

, Bonin Islands and Lord Howe Island, but absent from Micronesia . The genus is also represented by one species in the Philippines, one in South America (Chile and Argentina), and one outlier in South Africa. ''Metrosideros'' seeds are very lightweight and easily dispersed by wind. The seeds can also survive freezing temperatures, and up to 30 days submerged in salt water and still germinate. which probably accounts for their wide distribution. They are often found as pioneer trees on lava flows and on mountain ridges. Despite the clear propensity towards long-distance dispersal, this genus does not occur in mainland Australia.Tarran, Myall, Peter G. Wilson, and Robert S. Hill. "Oldest record of Metrosideros (Myrtaceae): Fossil flowers, fruits, and leaves from Australia." American Journal of Botany 103.4 (2016): 754-768.

Fossil record

For some time it had been hypothesised that ''Metrosideros'' evolved in New Zealand, and dispersed from there throughout the Pacific. This was due to the long fossil record of ''Metrosideros'' in New Zealand coupled with the absence of any ''Metrosideros'' fossils on other Gondwanan landmasses. The oldest conclusive fossil evidence of ''Metrosideros'' in New Zealand is fossil fruits from the Miocene aged Manuherikia sediments of Central Otago. There is a fossil pollen record going back much further, but it has been shown that ''Metrosideros'' pollen is very similar morphologically to many other genera within the family

and as such, fossil pollen cannot be reliably used as an oldest record of the genus. The oldest conclusive record of ''Metrosideros'' are fossil fruits and flowers of ''

Metrosideros leunigii ''Metrosideros leunigii'' is the oldest described fossil species of the flowering plant genus ''Metrosideros'' (Family Myrtaceae), named from fossil flowers and fruits uncovered from the Oligocene (approx. 30 Million years) aged Little Rapid Rive ...

'', an extinct species, from

Oligocene The Oligocene ( ) is a geologic epoch of the Paleogene Period and extends from about 33.9 million to 23 million years before the present ( to ). As with other older geologic periods, the rock beds that define the epoch are well identified but the ...

aged sediments in Tasmania, Australia. This is very curious considering that ''Metrosideros'' is one of the most widely spread plants in the Pacific, and is not present in Australia today. These fossils may also point towards an Australian origin for the genus.

Cultivation

''Metrosideros'' are often cultivated for their showy flowers, as street trees or in home gardens. The flowers are generally red, but some cultivars have orange, yellow or white flowers. Some names listed in horticultural catalogues and other publications, such as ''M. villosa'' and ''M. vitiensis'', are actually the names of varieties or cultivars (usually of ''M. collina'') rather than valid scientific species. The pōhutukawa of New Zealand has several cultivars grown in Australia, Hawaii and California and it has been planted successfully in the north of Spain and on the Scilly Isles off the south-west coast of Britain, but the species is considered an invasive pest in parts of South Africa and in the Azores.Governo dos Açores: "Government invests in fight against invasive exotic species"
/ref> '' Metrosideros kermadecensis'' is recently naturalised in Hawaii, and has the potential to become a pest. In turn, various cultivars of ''M. collina'' and ''M. polymorpha'' are widely grown in New Zealand under various names. '' Metrosideros umbellata'' occurs naturally south of mainland New Zealand in the Auckland Islands at 50° South latitude, and is the hardiest member of the genus, and a few cultivated specimens are growing in Scotland.

''Metrosideros'' species

;New Caledonia * ''

Metrosideros brevistylis ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros cacuminum ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros cherrieri ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros dolichandra ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros elegans ''Metrosideros elegans'' is a species of plant endemic to New Caledonia in the family Myrtaceae. The tree has yellow flowers and grows most commonly between about 300 and 1,500 metres altitude in forest or shrubland. It is sometimes epiphyte A ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros engleriana ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros humboldtiana ''Metrosideros humboldtiana'' is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to New Caledonia. References

Metrosideros, humboldtiana Endemic flora of New Caledonia Conservation dependent plants Taxonomy articles ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros laurifolia ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros longipetiolata ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros microphylla ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros nitida ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros operculata ''Metrosideros operculata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Loc ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros oreomyrtus ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros paniensis ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros patens ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros porphyrea ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros punctata ''Metrosideros punctata'' is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to New Caledonia. It is threatened by habitat loss. References

Metrosideros, punctata Endemic flora of New Caledonia Vulnerable plants Tax ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros rotundifolia ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros tardiflora ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros tetrasticha ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros whitakeri ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' South America * ''

Metrosideros stipularis ''Metrosideros stipularis'' is a species of the myrtle family commonly known as tepú, trepú, or tepual. It is an evergreen tree or shrub that can attain a height of about seven metres. The plant is native to southern South America in the sou ...

'' South Africa * ''

Metrosideros angustifolia ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' ;New Zealand * ''

Metrosideros albiflora ''Metrosideros albiflora'', also known as large white rātā, Northland white rātā, akatea or simply white rātā, is a forest liane or vine endemic to New Zealand. It is one of three white flowering rātā vines (the others being white rāt� ...

'' - Large white rātā * ''

Metrosideros bartlettii ''Metrosideros bartlettii'', also known as Bartlett's rātā, Cape Reinga white rātā or in Māori as rātā moehau, is one of twelve ''Metrosideros'' species endemic to New Zealand and is notable for its extreme rarity and its white flowers, s ...

'' - Bartlett's rātā * '' Metrosideros carminea'' - Carmine rātā * '' Metrosideros colensoi'' - Colenso's rātā * '' Metrosideros diffusa'' - White rātā * '' Metrosideros excelsa'' - Pōhutukawa * '' Metrosideros fulgens'' - Scarlet rātā * '' Metrosideros kermadecensis'' - Kermadec pōhutukawa (Kermadec Islands) * ''

Metrosideros parkinsonii ''Metrosideros parkinsonii'', also known as Parkinson's rātā or shrubby rata, is a shrub or small tree endemic to New Zealand. The name commemorates Sydney Parkinson, Captain James Cook's botanical artist during his first voyage to New Zealan ...

'' - Parkinson's rātā * '' Metrosideros perforata'' - Small white rātā * '' Metrosideros robusta'' - Northern rātā * '' Metrosideros umbellata'' - Southern rātā New Guinea * ''

Metrosideros arfakensis ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros cordata ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros ovata ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * '' Metrosideros parallelinervis'' * ''

Metrosideros ramiflora ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros regelii ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros whiteana ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' Philippines * ''

Metrosideros halconensis ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' ;Hawaii * '' Metrosideros macropus'' - ''Lehua mamo'' (Oahu) * '' Metrosideros polymorpha'' - ''Ōhia lehua'' * ''

Metrosideros rugosa ''Metrosideros rugosa'', the ''lehua papa'', is a tree of the Myrtaceae, myrtle family which is endemism, endemic to the island of Oahu, Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. It is closely related to the widespread and highly variable ōhia lehua (''Me ...

'' - ''Lehua papa'' (Oahu) * ''

Metrosideros tremuloides ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' - ''Lehua āhihi'' (Oahu) * ''

Metrosideros waialealae ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' (Kauai, Molokai, and Maui) French Polynesia, Pitcairn and the Cook Islands * ''

Metrosideros collina ''Metrosideros collina'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. Taxonomy The species was first formally described by botanist Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg F ...

'' Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu * ''

Metrosideros gregoryi ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' (Samoa) * ''

Metrosideros ochrantha ''Metrosideros ochrantha'' is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. This small tree is endemic to Fiji and is restricted to Mt Kasi and its vicinity on Vanua Levu Vanua Levu (pronounced ), formerly known as Sandalwood Island, is the s ...

'' (Fiji) * ''

Metrosideros tabwemasanaensis ''Metrosideros tabwemasanaensis'' is species of plant in the family Myrtaceae.Metrosideros vitiensis ''Metrosideros vitiensis'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is a shrub or tree native to Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Samoan Islands. Taxonomy ''Metrosideros vitiensis'' was formerly included within ''Metrosideros collina, M ...

'' Solomon Islands * ''

Metrosideros salomonensis ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...

'' * ''

Metrosideros tetragyna ''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The ...

'' Lord Howe Island * ''

Metrosideros nervulosa ''Metrosideros nervulosa'', commonly known as the mountain rose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea, part of the Australian state of New South Wales. It occurs in shrublan ...

'' - Mountain rose * ''

Metrosideros sclerocarpa ''Metrosideros sclerocarpa'', commonly known as the mountain rose, is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. Description It is a small tree, growing to 10 m in height. The leathery ovate to elliptic leaves are 30–65 mm long and ...

'' Ogasawara Islands * '' Metrosideros boninensis''

References

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1313015 Myrtaceae genera Trees of Hawaii Trees of New Zealand Flora of New Caledonia Taxa named by Joseph Banks Taxa named by Joseph Gaertner

Distribution

Fossil record

Cultivation

''Metrosideros'' species

References

Further reading

External links