It is generally agreed that ‘ohi’a lehua is the premier tree of the Hawaiian forest. Premier in its range of habitats and diversity of forms, and premier for its beauty and spiritual and cultural associations.
‘Ohi’a lehua’s scientific name, Metrosideros polymorpha, tells the reason for its range and diversity. Polymorpha means “many forms.” The ability of ‘ohi’a to shape-change allows it to live as a shrub on barren lava, as a huge tree in the rain forest and as an inches-high plant in a montane bog. Its bark can be shaggy or not; its leaves fuzzy or not; and its large beautiful flowers red, yellow, salmon, pink or orange. A friend recently pointed out a yellow ‘ohi’a lehua, one of the lesser-seen colors in our area. If you would like to find it, it is hiding in plain sight, at the entrance to the Kipukapuaulu Trail (aka Bird Park) in the National Park. It is on the left, just steps from the sign board. Good spotting, Lynne.
Besides its high status in the Hawaiian plant community, ‘ohi’a also enjoys a high place in the spiritual and cultural realm. Important uses include heiau images and leis for hulu dancers. And additionally, ‘ohi’a is sacred to two goddesses, Pele and Laka.
As if this wasn’t enough, as a keystone species, ’ohi’a is of immense importance to the forest itself. ‘Ohi’a filters rain for the understory and helps to hold moisture and soil, preventing runoff. As a pioneer plant on bare lava, it helps to establish the forest of the future. And in a mature rain forest, it serves as a food source and nesting site for honeycreepers and as a nursery for other plants, such as olapa, tree ohelo and pa’iniu. In short, if you want to scare a forester, an ornithologist, or a lover of Hawaiian culture, just mention a threat to this V.I.P. (very important plant).
To see a 1 minute youtube slideshow of the gorgeous 'ohi'a, just click below:
And to see a 10 minute youtube video by J.B. Friday of the varieties of o'hi'a, click below:
lf you haven't had enough, see The World's Most Beautiful 'Ohi'a Tree, by clicking below:
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