PlantFiles: 'Ohi'a Lehua
Metrosideros polymorpha var. polymorpha

The variety has glossy topped leaves with pubescent undersides.

This tree can grow in dense forests and look quite different from trees growing in more room... forests thick of these trees consist of very upright, narrow, almost leafless trees only 4-8' wide, but 80' or more tall... while those grown out in the open can be 50' wide or more... You can get some guess as to the age of a lava flow by the height of the Ohia trees... takes many years to form a forest of 80' trees. Some of these tall trees will be adorned with huge birdnest ferns and other epiphytes.

This extremely variable species is the first plant (along with ferns) to show up breaking through after a new lava flow. It may be mature and flower when only a few inches tall but may reach towering heights in some habitats. Leaves range from thick and very pubescent to thin and glabrous. Flowers are feathery and may be either red, or less frequently, yellow and contain honey. The species is the most pervasive native forest tree in Hawaii, found on all the major islands and in a variety of habitats. It is an important food plant for native birds and can grow to 100 ft heights.

Other names by which is known: 'ohi'a lehua, 'ohi'a, lehua, lehua papa, lehua 'ahihi, 'ahihi ku ma kua, 'ahihi lehua, kumakua, 'ohi'a 'ahihi.

The 'Ohi'a is the tree. The blossom is called Lehua. The red variety is the flower that represents the Big Island of Hawai'i and it is known as Pele's flower.

Being the first tree to appear on a lava flow, it has sacred meaning to Hawaiians. It is a promise of new life on the aina, the land. It is said that if a lehua blossom is picked on the way up the mountain it will rain, so it is usually picked on the way down.

Although used extensively for lei or wreath making, permission must be asked of Pele before gathering. Dries beautifully when made into wreaths.