Ohi’a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is a flowering tree endemic to the islands of Hawai’i. Proclaimed the state tree of Hawai’i, it is the most common native tree in the state. It is a highly variable plant as it can be seen as a tree or a shrub, and the flowers can be red (most common), orange, pink, yellow or white (most rare).
In Hawaiian mythology, Ohi’a and Lehua were two young lovers. The goddess Pele fell in love with Ohi’a but he rejected her advances. In a fit of jealousy she turned Ohi’a into a twisted gnarly tree. Lehua was devastated and the other gods took pity towards her. They turned Lehua into a flower and placed her on the tree. Legend has it that if you pick a lehua flower off of an ohi’a tree, it will rain. Tears from heaven for separating the two lovers.
In recent years, a strain of fungus has attacked the ohi’a forests on the Big Island. Once healthy trees would die in a matter of a few days or a few weeks. This is referred to as Rapid Ohi’a Death (ROD). Many native birds and insects rely on the ohi’a lehua and the ohi’a diminishing numbers has caused many of these species to become endangered. Luckily there is an organization called Ohi’a Legacy Initiative. The vision of this organization is “to make the ohi’a lehua tree a symbol of the Hawaiian Islands, to spread awareness of native plants, perpetuate Hawaiian culture, provide habitat for native birds, and increase the health and vitality of the land for the people of Hawai’i.” The Ohi’a Legacy Initiative gives away ohi’a plants so that they will become a common feature of residential gardens and public places.
Having received my plant in 2019, here is my very first ohi’a lehua blossom:
This color variety is called “lehua mamo”.