Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa)

Uses

An edible nectar is obtained from the flowers^[3].

Product or use: Nectar

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Astringent. Used in the treatment of dysentery^[9]^[10].

Plants can be used as a hedge, succeeding in exposed maritime positions^[2]^[6]. Wood - dense, compact, heavy, durable, very strong. Used for ship-making, bearings, machine beds etc^[9]^[10].

Product or use: Wood

Environment

Range

New Zealand.

Habitat

Coastal forests in North and Three Kings Islands^[8].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

no shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 8+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Drainage

well drained

Tolerances

high wind, maritime exposure

Wind

Yes

Maritime

Yes

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage^[6].

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained but moisture-retentive lime-free soil in a sunny position^[4]^[6]. Plants are somewhat lime-tolerant but are unsuitable for shallow soils over chalk^[6]. Very resistant to maritime exposure^[2]^[6]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c^[5] and succeeding outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country where it makes a small shrub^[1]^[6]. Plants grow very well on the Isles of Scilly, where they are cut back by cold perhaps once every twenty years. They usually sprout again from their thick branches^[7]. A good bee plant^[3]. Very ornamental^[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus^[6].

References

F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

↩1 ↩2

Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

↩1 ↩2

Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

↩1 ↩2

Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

↩

Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

↩

Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5