Re: Metrosideros
Jason D wrote:
>
> Metrosideros growing in San Francisco seems often to
> be a mix of M. excelsa and M. kermadecensis. The
> former is reputed to have a more distinct & showy
> seasonal bloom while the latter blooms sporadically. I
> think the former can be identified by its longer
> leaves and greater propensity to form aerial roots in
> the SF climate. Much underused right on the oceanside,
> in my opinion, but perhaps overused as a sidewalk
> street tree, where its dense foliage is not always
> what's called for in this miserably windy and chilly
> climate. Nonetheless, I appreciate every one I see.
Jason
M Kermadecensis as you correctly say is distinguished from M excelsa
mainly by its intermittant flowering habit. Myself I much prefer the
all-at-once effect as do most locals. It is also reputed to be
marginally less hardy, though there is probably little to choose. As you
correctly say the leaves are smaller and they are also more rounded. The
flowers are smaller too (another minus maybe). The production of aerial
roots would not I think be a useful diagnostic as clones of M excelsa
very a great deal in this respect, some being exceedingly "hairy' while
others almost never produce them.
Richard Starkson wrote
Moira, is this what is called the New Zealnd Christmas tree? Here in
San
Francisco, there are some planted that have a disticntly orange
appreance
(as opposed to red)- likely to be the same species?
Indeed it is Richard.
As to orange-flowered forms, these and several other colour varients are
also known in NZ. In fact one orange-flowered form here has been given
the varietal name of 'Vibrance'. It was found in the wild on the
Coromandel Peninsula.
There is also yellow and even a purplish form available and I am sure
there was once a white offered in the trade, but this does not seem to
have survived. The white would be quite expected as many liane relatives
in NZ are white-flowered.
Apart from the orange, none of the other colours are really as striking
in their impact as the good old crimson (best seen against the
background of a blue summer sea, but lovely even in a suburban street..)
Moira
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
