#metrosideros polymorpha

[karroana]

Third bird for this year’s avian august : the Kaua‘i ‘ō ‘ō (Moho braccatus) foraging on some ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha).

The extinction of this species is a hauntingly sad and lonely story (as they’re all…) and that’s why i chose to draw a pair, seeking to heal my heart a bit :’)

[jadafitch]

Day 6 of Avian August 2025, Birds of Hawaii, hosted by @cookiedoves: 'Apapane (Himatione sanguinea)

The ‘Apapane is the most abundant and widely distributed honeycreeper on the Hawaiian Islands. Their bright crimson color and flair for singing make them easy to spot, though their songs can vary from island to island.

Like their cousin, the ʻIʻiwi, their favorite food is nectar, usually provided by the flowers of the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua tree. The ʻApapane has a brush-tipped tongue—perfect for lapping up the sweet nectar.

*Plant featured is the native Hawaiian species, ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)

[dendroica]

'Ōhi'a Lehua (via USFWS - Pacific Region)

Metrosideros polymorpha

Ōhi‘a trees are the foundation of native Hawaiian forests like Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and throughout Hawaiʻi. Many native bird species depend on ʻōhiʻa.

Ōhi‘a trees are under threat from a poorly understood and newly identified, rapidly-spreading fungal disease (Ceratocystis spp.) that kills native ‘ōhi‘a trees.

Learn more www.rapidohiadeath.org

Photo by Eric Hunt

CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/223724294

[matthew-hunt]

ʻApapane on ʻōhiʻa lehua Pihea Trail, Kauai

[asmidgenofspookie]

Lehua Mamo

ʻŌhiʻa lehua is the most common and variable of all native trees. The name polymorpha means "many forms." It's probable that no other native Hawaiian plant is found in a greater number of varieties than Metrosideros Polymorpha. The amount of variations of ʻōhiʻa trees, shrubs, leaf colors and shapes, and floral colors are absolutely amazing!

ʻŌhiʻa are essential trees for native rainforests and environments. They are not difficult to grow provided they are given good sunlight, and excellent drainage. There is no soil needed for these hardy trees to grow.

Metrosideros polymorpha can close the stomata on their leaves if they detect harmful gasses such as so2. In addition they have evolved to withstand lava flows and volcanic activity, and will create aerial stress roots if it feels threatened by its surroundings. The stress roots alow the tree to continue growing even after it falls or is knocked down.

Since ʻōhiʻa are nearly in constant bloom, they attract numerous bees, insects, and honey creepers such as the Apapane which it relies on for 90% of its diet.

Key:

Yellow lehua blossoms

Metrosideros polymorpha

Tiny pores on the underside of leaves that a plant breathes from

Sulphuric gasses

The most common native Hawaiian honey creeper

[jadafitch]

Day 19 of Avian August 2025, Birds of Hawaii, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻAkohekohe or Crested Honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei)

The critically endangered ʻAkohekohe is the largest living Hawaiian honeycreeper. It is found only in the wet montane forests of the island of Maui.

Like many Hawaiian birds, its favorite food is the nectar of the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) flowers. In return for this meal, the ʻAkohekohe helps with the pollination process. Its handsome head crest is perfectly suited for collecting pollen from one flower while feeding and transferring it to another.

[jadafitch]

Day one of Avian August 2025, hosted by @cookiedoves. Which means a month of drawing a new bird every day. This years theme is Hawaiian birds! Though I'm a day late to the game, here's my drawing for August 1st's bird, the iʻiwi, AKA scarlet honeycreeper, AKA Drepanis coccinea. What a looker! That red makes it one of the easier birds to spot on the islands of Hawaii, and the extra curvy bill is made for those flowers with the hard to reach nectar. Though this bird is perched on an ʻōhiʻa lehua, it's main meal source. *Plant featured is the native Hawaiian species, ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)

[matthew-hunt]

ʻŌhiʻa lehua Ocean View Estates, Hawaii