Pohutukawa.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Evergreen tree

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

15 to 20 meters

Croissance

Moyenne

Rusticité

USDA 9 à 11

Floraison

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Plant this tree in a sunny spot with well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or overwatering. It handles salt spray well but needs protection from hard frosts while young.

Arrosage

Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Engrais

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer during the active growing season.

Taille

Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and remove any dead wood.

Rempotage

Repot only when the roots have filled the container or the tree becomes unstable.

Sol

Sandy or loamy well draining soil

pH du sol

Neutral to slightly acidic

Température

-2 à 35°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Élevée

Durée de vie

Long lived, often exceeding 100 years in ideal conditions.

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans, though the fine hairs on the leaves can cause minor irritation.

Enfants

The stiff, leathery leaves and dense branches are not a significant ingestion risk, but the fine leaf hairs may irritate sensitive skin.

Allergènes de contact

The fine, felt like hairs on the underside of the leaves can cause skin irritation if handled frequently.

Allergènes aéroportés

The pollen can be an irritant for those with severe seasonal allergies.

Comestibilité

The flowers are not typically consumed and may cause irritation.

Comment l'identifier

• Bright crimson brush-like flowers
• Dark green leathery oval leaves
• Silvery white hairs on leaf undersides
• Gnarled and twisted woody trunk
• Aerial roots hanging from branches

Hauteur

6 à 15m

Envergure

5 à 12m

Feuilles

dark green, silvery gray, evergreen

Fleurs

bright red, 3 à 5cm

Fruits

brown, Late summer

Problèmes courants

• Myrtle rust — A fungal infection that causes yellow pustules on leaves and stems.
• Scale insects — Small sap sucking insects that cluster on stems and leaves.

La cultiver

Multiplication

cuttings, seed

Quand planter

spring, early autumn

Hivernage

Protect from hard frosts by covering with horticultural fleece if temperatures drop near freezing. Keep the soil relatively dry during the winter months to prevent root rot.

En pot

It grows well in large containers for several years, provided the pot is at least 50 centimeters wide and has excellent drainage.

Group with other salt tolerant coastal plants to create a windbreak that protects more delicate species behind it.

Bonnes associations

• Lin de Nouvelle-Zélande — They share similar coastal environmental requirements and provide a nice textural contrast.
• Westringia fruticosa — This shrub thrives in the same salt spray conditions and complements the tree's foliage.

Espèces similaires

• Metrosideros robusta — A related species that also features bright red flowers but has a different growth habit.

Science

Famille

Myrtaceae

Genre

Metrosideros

Ordre

Myrtales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Coastal regions of New Zealand.

Préservation

It is not currently endangered, but wild populations are managed to prevent habitat loss.

It thrives on coastal cliffs where its aerial roots help it cling to rocky substrates and absorb moisture from sea spray.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, nesting habitat

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons, colibris

Utilisations

ornamental specimen, coastal windbreak, erosion control

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in large containers when young, but will eventually need to be planted in the ground.

How often should I water it?

Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Metrosideros comes from the Greek words for iron and heart, referring to the extremely hard wood, while excelsa means tall or lofty.

Bon à savoir

• It is highly salt tolerant, making it perfect for coastal gardens.
• The tree produces aerial roots that can absorb moisture directly from the air.
• It can grow in very rocky, nutrient poor soil.
• The wood is extremely dense and was historically used for ship knees.

Aussi dans

• Plantes résistantes à la sécheresse