Hawaiian Flowers

Ohia of Big Island

The native Hawaiian ‘ōhi‘a which scientifically named Metrosideros polymorpha is the most abundant tree in the Hawaiian Islands. The name Metrosideros is derived from the Greek metra, heartwood, and sideron, iron, in reference to the hard wood of the genus. Known locally by its Hawaiian name, ‘ōhi‘a lehua, the species is found on all the major islands and in a variety of habitats. Distributed from near sea level to the tree line (2500 m [8200 ft]), the species exhibits tolerances of frost, volcanic vapors, and excesses or deficiencies in moisture. It is found across a rainfall gradient having extremes of less than 400 mm (16 in) to over 10,000 mm (400 in) on Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale, Kaua‘i, one of the wettest places on earth. ‘Ōhi‘a is found growing on a broad range of substrates including those as young as recent lava flows or as old as highly weathered Oxisols. Dominant in cloud forests and most rainforests above 400 m (1300 ft), often with a tree fern understory, the species is also common in seasonally wet forests, where it may be dominant or in mixtures with the native Acacia koa or the invasive species Morella faya.  

The Goddess Pele

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