Metrosideros excelsa Solander ex J. Gaertner, Myrtaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 6.5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Metrosideros tomentosa A. Rich.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: New Zealand Christmas tree

Maori (NZ): pohutukawa

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Tree up to 20 m. tall; trunk up to 2 m. diameter; branches spreading; branchlets stout, tomentose. Leaves on short stout petioles; lamina (2.5)-5-10 x 2.5-3-5 cm., elliptic to oblong, acute or obtuse, coriac., thick, clad in white tomentum below (young plants occasionally glabrous below). Inflorescence of broad compound cymes with many flowers; pedicels stout, tomentose. Receptacle obconic; sepals deltoid; petals crimson, oblong. Stamens many, crimson, 3-4 cm. long. Ovary adnate to receptacle. Capsules 7-9 mm. long, tomentose, distinctly exserted, loculicidally 3-valved"  (Allan, 1982; p. 325).

Habitat/ecology:  "In South Africa this species is invading hygrophilous fynbos (fynbos on moist peaty soils).  Moist conditions are necessary for seed germination and establishment" (SABONET).

Propagation:  Produces large quantities of wind-borne seed (SABONET).

Native range:  New Zealand (Allan, 1982; p. 325).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1932) (voucher ID: BISH 60393) Taxon name on voucher: Metrosideros excelsa

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	native	Allan, H. H. (1982) (p. 325)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Metrosideros excelsa, please let us know.