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Myrtaceae
New Zealand Christmas Bush
Metrosideros excelsa
Celebration and vitality.
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Genus
- Metrosideros
- Native to
- New Zealand
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- evergreen tree
- Height
- 40-65 feet
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, volcanic
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 9-11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Known as pohutukawa in Maori, it is called New Zealand's Christmas tree because it blooms bright red during the December holiday season.
- Some pohutukawa trees are estimated to be over 800 years old.
- The tree can grow directly on rocky coastal cliffs, sending aerial roots down to anchor in crevices.
- In Maori mythology, the pohutukawa at Cape Reinga is the gateway where spirits of the dead descend to the underworld.
- The flowers have no petals; the showy red display comes entirely from masses of crimson stamens.
Color meanings
0
celebration
1
strength
2
new beginnings