Lyla Lindsey
The Pōhutukawa tree, also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, is a vibrant coastal evergreen tree that grows up to 25 metres high and is distinguished by its crimson flowers. While the tree is native to New Zealand and is deeply rooted in the country's culture and mythology, there is evidence to suggest that the Pōhutukawa tree may have originated in Australia. Despite the Pōhutukawa tree's widespread presence across the South Pacific, from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea, it is notably absent from Australia today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 20-25 metres |
| Width | 35 metres |
| Leaves | 3-10 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, oblong, leathery, covered in dense white hairs underneath |
| Flowers | Crimson, red, orange, yellow, or white |
| Seed | Fragrant, fine, acts like itching powder |
| Natural Range | Coastal regions of the North Island of New Zealand, north of a line stretching from New Plymouth to Gisborne |
| Habitat | Coastal cliffs, near-vertical situations |
| Soil | Bare rock |
| Climate | Mild to warm |
| Growth | Seedlings grow faster than older trees |
| Age | Can live for hundreds of years, possibly up to 1000 years |
| Origin | May have originated in Australia, despite being commonly associated with New Zealand |
| Cultivation | Popular in cultivation, easy to grow, naturalised in some areas |
| Threats | Invasive non-native possums, pastoral farming, introduced pests, fire, competing vegetation |
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What You'll Learn
Pōhutukawa trees are native to New Zealand
The Pōhutukawa tree holds cultural and spiritual significance for the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand. It is featured in Māori mythology and is considered a sacred tree. The Māori regarded the Pōhutukawa as a "chiefly tree" (rākau rangatira), and its tough wood was used for tools and boats. The tree is also associated with the Māori warrior Tawhaki, whose story is told in Māori legends.
Despite being strongly associated with New Zealand, some research suggests that the Pōhutukawa tree may have originated in Australia. Fossilised remains of Pōhutukawa species dating back 25-40 million years have been discovered in Tasmania, indicating that the trees once grew in Australia but are no longer found there. The reason for their disappearance remains a mystery.
Today, Pōhutukawa trees are no longer naturally found in Australia, although they have been introduced to south-eastern parts of the country, where they are naturalising on coastal cliffs near Sydney. The trees have also been successfully introduced to other countries with mild-to-warm climates, including California, South Africa, and Spain, where they are sometimes regarded as invasive species.
In New Zealand, the Pōhutukawa tree faces various threats, including invasive non-native possums and pastoral farming, which have led to a decline in Pōhutukawa populations. Conservation efforts, such as the Project Crimson Trust, have been established to protect and restore Pōhutukawa trees in their native habitat.
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They are not found in Australia today
The Pōhutukawa tree is a species of myrtle that is native to New Zealand. It is known for its vibrant crimson flowers and its ability to grow on coastal cliffsides. The tree is deeply rooted in New Zealand's history and culture, particularly that of the indigenous Maori people, who considered it sacred.
Despite its association with New Zealand, there is evidence to suggest that the Pōhutukawa tree may have originated in Australia. Fossilised remains of trees within the Pōhutukawa genus, dating back 25-40 million years, have been discovered in Tasmania. However, the Pōhutukawa tree is not found in Australia today. While the tree has been introduced to other countries with mild-to-warm climates, including coastal regions near Sydney, it is not naturally occurring on the Australian continent.
The reason for the tree's absence in Australia remains a mystery. Scientists have noted that the Pōhutukawa family has an efficient seed dispersal method, which has helped it spread widely across the South Pacific and beyond. Despite this, the tree has not taken root in Australia, and its ancient fossils suggest that it may have once been native to the continent.
The Pōhutukawa tree faces various threats to its survival in New Zealand, primarily from invasive non-native possums and pastoral farming. Conservation efforts, such as the Project Crimson Trust, have been established to protect existing trees and encourage the growth of new ones. However, the tree's susceptibility to fire and competition from other vegetation types have made regeneration efforts challenging.
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Pōhutukawa fossils have been discovered in Tasmania
The pōhutukawa tree does not grow in Australia today, but its fossils have been found on the island state of Tasmania. Researchers from the University of Adelaide discovered two new fossil species, Metrosideros dawsonii and Metrosideros wrightii, dating back approximately 25 million years. These fossils belong to the genus Metrosideros, the scientific name for the pōhutukawa species.
The discovery of these fossils in Tasmania provides evidence of the ancient presence of the genus in Australia. Additionally, fossils belonging to another subgenus of Metrosideros, also discovered in Tasmania, were dated to be approximately 35-40 million years old. This indicates a diversity of ancient Metrosideros in Australia, further strengthening the theory of an Australian origin for the pōhutukawa tree.
The pōhutukawa tree has a wide range across the South Pacific, from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, the Bonin Islands near Japan, and even to sub-Antarctic islands. However, despite its extensive spread, the tree is notably absent from Australia. The reason for its apparent extinction in the country remains a question that researchers are yet to answer.
The discovery of pōhutukawa fossils in Tasmania adds a fascinating layer to the history of this iconic tree and highlights the complex evolutionary journey of plant species over millions of years. While the pōhutukawa is now strongly associated with New Zealand, its Australian origins, as evidenced by the Tasmanian fossils, provide a reminder of the interconnectedness of flora across geographical boundaries.
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Pōhutukawa trees are part of Māori tradition
Pōhutukawa trees are an integral part of Māori tradition and lore. The tree is native to New Zealand and is part of the myrtle family. Pōhutukawa is a Māori word, and the tree is regarded as sacred in Māori culture. The Pōhutukawa's tough wood was used by the Māori for making beaters and other small, heavy items. Its wood was also used in shipbuilding because the naturally curvy shapes made strong knees.
The Pōhutukawa tree is also of great medicinal value to the Māori. Extracts from the tree are used in traditional Māori healing for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, sore throat and wounds. The tree is also considered sacred because of its place in Māori mythology. Legends tell of Tawhaki, a young Māori warrior who attempted to find heaven to seek help in avenging the death of his father. He fell to earth, and the crimson flowers of the Pōhutukawa are said to represent his blood.
A gnarled Pōhutukawa located on the northernmost tip of Cape Reinga is of immense significance to the Māori. For them, this small tree is known as 'the place of leaping'. Māori believe that the spirits of the dead begin their return journey to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki from this tree. The spirits leap off the headland and climb down the roots of the 800-year-old tree, descending into the underworld.
The Pōhutukawa tree is also an important symbol for New Zealanders at home and abroad. The tree, also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, blooms around Christmas time, and its crimson flowers remind people of the flowers of the traditional Christmas holly plant. The tree is also featured on Kiwi Christmas cards and in Christmas songs.
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The trees are easy to grow and have been introduced to other countries
Pōhutukawa trees are native to New Zealand and are part of the myrtle family. They are renowned for their vibrant crimson flowers and ability to survive on rocky, precarious cliffs. The trees are also considered sacred in Maori culture.
While Pōhutukawa trees are not native to Australia, they have been introduced to the country and can be found naturalising on coastal cliffs near Sydney. The trees have also been introduced to other countries with mild-to-warm climates, including coastal California, where they are a popular street and lawn tree. However, their root systems have caused some concerns in San Francisco, where they have been blamed for destroying sewer lines and sidewalks. In parts of South Africa, Pōhutukawa trees are considered an invasive species due to their ability to grow well in the local climate. The Spanish city of A Coruña has even adopted the Pōhutukawa as a floral emblem.
The Pōhutukawa's ability to adapt and thrive in new environments is likely due to its efficient seed dispersal method. Despite this, the trees are curiously absent from the Australian landscape today, although their ancestors once lived on the continent. The oldest known fossils of trees in the Pōhutukawa genus were found in Tasmania and date back 35-40 million years.
The Pōhutukawa tree's resilience and beauty have made it a popular choice for cultivation, with at least 39 cultivars released. The trees are easy to grow and can flourish outside their natural range, as seen in the Wellington area and the north of New Zealand's South Island. Young Pōhutukawa trees do well on bare ground and can grow up to 20 meters high with a crown width of up to 35 meters. However, reducing the size of a mature Pōhutukawa tree is challenging due to its vigorous growth habit.
The Pōhutukawa tree's distinctive appearance and cultural significance have made it an iconic symbol of New Zealand, often featured on Christmas cards and in songs during the holiday season.
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Frequently asked questions
Pohutukawa trees are not known to grow in Australia naturally, although they have been introduced to the country and are naturalising on coastal cliffs near Sydney.
Pohutukawa trees are native to New Zealand and are found in the coastal regions of the North Island, north of a line stretching from New Plymouth to Gisborne. They have also naturalised in the Wellington area, the north of the South Island, and Norfolk Island.
Pohutukawa trees grow up to 25 metres high with a spreading, dome-like form and a massive crown that can be up to 35 metres wide. They produce bright red, crimson, or occasionally orange, yellow, or white flowers that bloom during the holiday season in New Zealand, earning them the nickname the ""New Zealand Christmas tree".
Yes, pohutukawa trees are significant to the indigenous Māori culture in New Zealand. The Māori people regarded the pohutukawa as a sacred tree, and it is featured in their mythology and traditions. The tough wood of the tree was also used for tools and boats.
