Metrosideros

Metrosideros /ˌmɛtrəˈsɪdərəs, -tr-/ 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 name derives from the Ancient Greek metra or "heartwood" and sideron or "iron". Perhaps the best-known species are the pohutukawa (M. excelsa), northern (M. robusta) and southern rātā (M. umbellata) of New Zealand, and ʻōhiʻa lehua (M. polymorpha), from the Hawaiian Islands.

Metrosideros
Flowers and foliage of M. excelsa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Subfamily: Myrtoideae
Tribe: Metrosidereae
Genus: Metrosideros
Banks ex Gaertn.
Species

See text

Synonyms
  • Agalmanthus (Endl.) Hombr. & Jacquinot
  • Ballardia Montrouz.
  • Carpolepis (J.W.Dawson) J.W.Dawson
  • Mearnsia Merr.
  • Microsideros Baum.-Bod. nom. nival.
  • Tepualia Griseb.
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