Metrosideros tremuloides

Description:

Lehua hihi or hihiMyrtaceae (Myrtle family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu only)Common to uncommonOahu (Cultivated) Early Hawaiians used the flowers for lei. Lehua hihi were abundant in the Nuuanu pali area and was highly desirable for lei.Flower closeupwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/4832598918/in/photostream/EtymologyThe generic name Metrosideros is derived from the Greek metra, heartwood, and sideron, iron, referring to the very hard wood of these plants.The specific epithet tremuloides means to tremble or to quake in reference to the leaves trembling in the wind.NPH00001www.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Metrosideros_tremu...