Pohutukawa.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Evergreen tree

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

15 to 20 meters

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

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.

Riego

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

Abonado

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

Poda

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

Trasplante

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

Suelo

Sandy or loamy well draining soil

pH del suelo

Neutral to slightly acidic

Temperatura

-2 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Alta

Longevidad

Long lived, often exceeding 100 years in ideal conditions.

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

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

Niños

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

Alérgenos por contacto

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

Alérgenos en el aire

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

Comestibilidad

The flowers are not typically consumed and may cause irritation.

Cómo identificarla

• 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

Altura

6 a 15m

Anchura

5 a 12m

Hojas

dark green, silvery gray, evergreen

Flores

bright red, 3 a 5cm

Frutos

brown, Late summer

Problemas frecuentes

• 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.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, early autumn

Cuidados en invierno

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 maceta

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.

Buenas compañeras

• Lino de Nueva Zelanda — 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.

Especies parecidas

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

Ciencia

Familia

Myrtaceae

Género

Metrosideros

Orden

Myrtales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Coastal regions of New Zealand.

Conservación

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.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, nesting habitat

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas, colibríes

Usos

ornamental specimen, coastal windbreak, erosion control

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

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.

De dónde viene el nombre

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.

Bueno saberlo

• 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.

También en

• Plantas resistentes a la sequía