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|image_caption=A Pohutukawa on the shore front at Akaroa, New Zealand
|image_caption=A Pohutukawa on the shore front at Akaroa, New Zealand
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The Pohutukawa (M. excelsa), is an evergreen tree native to mid to northern coastal regions of the North Island of New Zealand. It is also known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree due to the fact that its peak flowering season is mid to late December.
The Pohutukawa can grow up to and above 15m in height, with a spread of around 30m or greater. During the summer months, the tree is covered in many cases to its entirety in red flowers. With some trees, there are large matted aerial roots.
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==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
The Pohutukawa will easily grow in places where most other coastal trees would wither and die. It is commonly seen growing in nearly vertical cliff faces, where fresh water and nutrients are hard to come by, but the salt water and winds lash it continually.
In places more suited to survival, it will be common that the vast majority of a coast forest in its native area is made up of Pohutukawas. In such positions, the tree can reach heights of 20 metres or more, and have a spread of up to and over 30 metres.
Younger plants are quite susceptible to frost, so if planting in an area with frosts of 10C or more, it is recommended that one buys a tree around a metre high. This sized tree will probably have it's adult foliage, which is a darker green and more leathery and thus can withstand harsher conditions. Even so, it would be advisable to always keep protected from frosts until it is well established.
In 1940 on Mōtiti Island in the Bay of Plenty there was discovered a cultivar known as ''Aurea'' that has yellow flowers.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
The seed ripens around late summer to early autumn, depending on the climate, especially in coastal areas. You can spread the seed on the soil in coastal positions, or if further inland, sprinkle the seed on top of some seed raising mix in a box. Germination can take 21-35 days.
The aerial roots can also be layered or cuttings can be taken. These, along with seedlings, should be kept indoors or in a greenhouse until their adult foliage has emerged. Then they should be hardened off and planted outside.
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
==Varieties==
==Varieties==
M. excelsa
M. excelsa varigata
M. excelsa aurea
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
<gallery perrow=5>
Image:Akaroa_Pohutukawa.jpg| Metrosideros excelsa in Akaroa, New Zealand.
Image:Akaroa_Pohutukawa.jpg| Metrosideros excelsa in Akaroa, New Zealand.
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Pohutukawa_Seeds.jpg| Seed pods on the left, and the seed on the right, lying on some seed raising mix.
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>
</gallery>