{"slug":"metrosideros-excelsa","scientific_name":"Metrosideros excelsa","common_names":["Pōhutukawa","Pohutukawa","New Zealand Christmas tree"],"family":"Myrtaceae","type":"broadleaf_evergreen","mature_height_m":20,"mature_spread_m":20,"growth_rate":"slow","lifespan_years":null,"hardiness_zones":null,"sun":"full","water":"low","soil":"Free-draining sandy, rocky or volcanic coastal soils; tolerates salt spray and wind","native_range":"Endemic to the northern North Island of New Zealand from North Cape to about northern Taranaki and the Mahia Peninsula, plus the Three Kings Islands; widely planted further south.","description":"An iconic sprawling coastal tree to 20 m with a canopy that can spread 10 to 50 m, leathery dark leaves and crimson bottlebrush flowers around Christmas. It clings to sea cliffs and shorelines and is planted throughout New Zealand towns, so much so that its natural southern limit is unclear. Possum browsing and myrtle rust are its main threats; in parts of the South Island and overseas (the Azores, Madeira, South Africa) it naturalises from plantings.","care":"Plant small, sheltered by nurse shrubs if exposed, as initial growth is slow; water through the first summer. Tolerates drought, salt and poor soil once established. Prune after flowering only if necessary. Watch for myrtle rust (yellow pustules on new growth) and report it. Aerial roots and wide crowns need space away from paths.","benefits":["flowers","birds","pollinators","salt_tolerant","drought_tolerant","erosion_control","wildlife"],"uses":["parks","yard_shade","street_tree","riparian"],"cautions":["large_roots","invasive_elsewhere"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/PohutukawaCornwallis.jpg","image_credit":"Wikimedia Commons, file PohutukawaCornwallis.jpg (see file page for author and licence)","sources":["https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/metrosideros-excelsa/","https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/saf220858.pdf","https://www.gbif.org/species/3185393"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/metrosideros-excelsa","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/metrosideros-excelsa.md","regions":[{"country":"NZ","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Endemic to the northern North Island; planted and naturalising elsewhere in NZ","source_url":"https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/metrosideros-excelsa/"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"Los Angeles","status":"recommended","note":"On the City Plants (Los Angeles) Street Tree Species List","source_url":"https://www.cityplants.org/street-tree-species-list/"},{"country":"PT","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced to the Azores and Madeira per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/3185393"},{"country":"ZA","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"invasive","note":"On the NEMBA 2020 national list of invasive species (New Zealand Christmas tree); the gazette text extracted gives no further category qualifier, so check the current list","source_url":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/saf220858.pdf"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}