Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa, New Zealand pohutukawa New Zealand Christmas tree) is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of red flowers made up of a mass of stamens. The pōhutukawa is one of twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand. Renowned for its vibrant colour and its ability to survive even perched on rocky, precarious cliffs, it has found an important place in New Zealand culture for its strength and beauty and is regarded as a chiefly tree (rākau rangatira) by Māori. The blossom of the tree is called kahika.
Description
The pōhutukawa grows up to 25 metres (82 ft) in height, with a dome-like spreading form. It usually grows as a multi-trunked spreading tree. Its trunks and branches are sometimes festooned with matted, fibrous aerial roots. The oblong, leathery leaves are covered in dense white hairs underneath. The tree flowers from November to January with a peak in mid to late December (the southern hemisphere summer), with brilliant crimson flowers covering the tree, hence the nickname New Zealand Christmas tree. There is variation between individual trees in the timing of flowering, and in the shade and brightness of the flowers. In isolated populations genetic drift has resulted in local variation: many of the trees growing around the Rotorua lakes produce pink-shaded flowers, and the yellow-flowered cultivar 'Aurea' descends from a pair discovered in 1940 on Mōtiti Island in the Bay of Plenty.
The magnificent specimen currently residing at the above co-ordinates is claimed to be New Zealand's, or even the world's oldest pohutakawa tree and deserves an Earthcache to draw appreciative cachers to see it, probably whilst on the way to New Zealand's Easternmost caches placed further along the coast road. We expect a physical visit to GZ to actually sight the tree too, so no couch caching allowed! False logs will be deleted.
To claim the find for this Earthcache please email me with the answers to the following questions;
(1) What is the Maori name for this magnificent tree at GZ?
(2) According to legend what once stood at the site of the tree?
(3) As mentioned above, pohutakawa have the ability to put down roots, even in low soil areas. According to the Factsheet Pohutakawa - Project Crimson; (a) how does the tree cope with protecting exposed root systems on bare rock and (b) Does the tree prefer dry or wet, boggy soil conditions?
(4) East Cape has been described as made up from allochthonous rocks. In your own words describe what the word Allochthonous means, and where the current day East Cape originated from (which current New Zealand region)
(5) Describe the state of the nearby ocean on the day you visit, and also state is the tree in bloom, about to bloom, other etc?
***This next bit is optional*** Would love to see a photo taken at GZ of the tree which shows the tree at it's various phases throughout the year. Please upload the photo when permission to list has been granted.
Please respect the age and history at this special place and do not climb on the tree. There is no need to enter the nearby school grounds to obtain any answers. Happy Earthcaching