Research in Context
Tree species with area of origin New Zealand
Myoporum laetum
Scrophulariaceae
Distribution in Athens. In coastal urban areas, it is commonly used as an ornamental shrub. However it can be developed as a single trunk small tree. In its arboreal form it may be used as a screen. In the borough of Palaio Faliro and in coastal areas of Attica: Marathon, Vouliagmeni.
Biomes Subtropical
Countries and regions (POWO Database)
Area of Origin. New Zealand.
Global Distribution (introduced)
OCEANIA
Australia (Tasmania, Victoria), Chatham Islands
AMERICAS
Argentina Northeast, Mexico Northwest, USA (California), Uruguay.
EUROPE Corse, East Aegean Islands, France, Italy, Portugal (Azores, Madeira), Sicilia, Spain (Baleares, Canary Islands).
AFRICA
Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa (Cape Provinces), Tunisia,
NOTE: Its potential for invasiveness has been reported in South Africa, Spain and areas in California.
Cities worldwide (GUTI Databse).
In only 10 inventories around the world:
OCEANIA: New Zealand (Christchurch)
AMERICAS: Argentina (Buenos Aires, Santiago del Estero), Chile (Santiago de Chile), Peru (Lima), USA (Berkeley, Palo Alto, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica).
Performance. It appears to be performing well in the dry and hot summers in Athens.
References on Myoporum laetum
TREE SPECIES DATABASES
SelecTree
SelecTree. UFEI.
Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo.
"Myoporum laetum Tree Record."
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1485
New Zealand Native Plants Guide. .
NZ Native plants | Trees.
https://www.nativeplants.nz/trees.html
Ngaio (Myoporum laetum
https://www.nativeplants.nz/myoporum-laetum.html
BOOKS
Sjöman, Henrik, and Anderson, Arit 2023. The Essential Tree Selection Guide: For Climate Resilience, Carbon Storage, Species Diversity and Other Ecosystem Benefits. London: Filbert Press
GUIDES ON URBAN TREES
Ciudades Verdes
Myoporum laetum - Árboles para Ciudades
https://ciudadesverdes.com/arboles/myoporum-laetum/
Corporación Nacional Forestal (Chile)
Árboles urbanos de Chile. Guía de Reconocimiento. Segunda edición.
Andrea Alvarado Ojedam, Aida Baldini Urrutia, Felipe Guajardo Becchi (2013).
https://ciudadesverdes.com/download/arboles-urbanos-de-chile-guia-de-reconocimiento-segunda-edicion/
(pdf file)
OTHER SOURCES
Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (Spain)
CATÁLOGO ESPAÑOL DE ESPECIES EXÓTICAS INVASORAS. (2025, January).
(pdf file)
Metrosideros excelsa
Myrtaceae
Images source: Janet Harley. 2024. D’Urville Island, top of the South Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand
Image source: Janet Harley. 2020.
Nelson, top of the South Island of Aotearoa - New Zealand.
Image source: Janet Harley. 2020.
Greek islands.
The Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) is a native New Zealand coastal tree, often called the "New Zealand Christmas tree" due to its bright red summer blooms. In Māori, it is believed to translate to "splashed by the spray," reflecting its coastal habitat. Spiritually, it signifies the connection between life and death, resilience, and is linked to the legend of the warrior Tāwhaki.
Key Māori Meanings and Symbolism:
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Cultural Significance: Pōhutukawa is deeply connected to the afterlife. It represents the journey of the spirit, with a famous, ancient tree at Cape Reinga marking the "leaping place" where spirits depart for the underworld (Hawaiki).
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Mythology: The crimson flowers represent the blood of the mythical warrior Tāwhaki, who fell to his death.
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Symbol of Strength: Due to its ability to grow on rocky cliffs and endure harsh coastal winds, it symbolizes tenacity and strength.
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Matariki (Māori New Year): the Matariki star cluster, is the same cluster of stars known as Pleiades, in Western, Greek-derived astronomy known as the “Seven Sisters”. (NZ Native plants).
Distribution in Athens. In coastal urban areas, it is regularly used as an ornamental shrub. However as is the case with other hardy ornamental shrubs, it can be trained as a single leader tree.
Biomes Subtropical
Countries and regions (POWO Database)
Area of Origin. New Zealand North Island.
Global Distribution (introduced) Azores, Madeira, Norfolk Is., Tristan da Cunha
Cities worldwide (GUTI Database)
In 52 inventories around the world.
OCEANIA
New Zealand : Christchurch.
Australia: Albury, Banyule, Brimbank, Burnside, Campbelltown, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, Darebin, Fremantle, Greater Geelong, Glenelg, Gold Coast, Greater Bendigo, Hobson Bay, Knox, Launceston, Leichhardt, Manningham, Marrickville, Melbourne, Mildura, Mitcham, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Nedlands, Parramatta, Penrith, Perth, Port Phillip, Shepparton, South Grampians Shire, South Perth, Stirling, Stonnington, Sydney, Waverley, Whittlesea, Willoughby, Wyndham
AMERICAS
Colombia: Bogotá
USA: Berkeley, Honolulu, Los Angeles, National City, Oakland, Palo Alto, Pasadena, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica.
EUROPE
Portugal: Lisbon
Performance. It appears to be performing well in the dry and hot summers in Athens.
Literature references on Metrosideros excelsa
ARDEM project - INRAE. |Rédaction by Rose-marie Bugeaud.
“Arbres de demain - Fiches espèces.” Jardin Botanique Villa Thuret.
Created on December 23, 2022. Modified on March 25, 2024.
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/actualites/presentation-des-fiches-especes
Fiches espèces techniques - Metrosideros excelsa
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/content/download/6701/54883?version=1
New Zealand Native Plants Guide. (2025, June 28).
NZ Native plants | Trees.
https://www.nativeplants.nz/trees.html
NZ Native plants | Metrosideros excelsa
https://www.nativeplants.nz/metrosideros-excelsa.html
Pavone Pietro. (2024, February 27).
Monaco Nature Encyclopedia - Metrosideros excelsa
https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/metrosideros-excelsa/?lang=en
REFERENCES
RESEARCH PROJECTS
ARDEM PROJECT, INRAE
Ducatillion Catherine and Delorme, Sarah. 2022. ARbres de Demain En Méditerranée (ARDEM) projet brochure. Villa de Thuret, INRAE. 2022.
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/content/download/6148/49641?version=1
INRAE. |Rédaction by Rose-marie Bugeaud. “Arbres de demain - Fiches espèces.” Jardin Botanique Villa Thuret. Created on December 23, 2022. Modified on March 25, 2024.
https://jardin-thuret.hub.inrae.fr/actualites/presentation-des-fiches-especes
TREE SPECIES DATABASES
New Zealand Native Plants Guide. (2025, June 28).
NZ Native plants | Trees.
https://www.nativeplants.nz/trees.html
BOOKS
Sjöman, Henrik, and Anderson, Arit 2023. The Essential Tree Selection Guide: For Climate Resilience, Carbon Storage, Species Diversity and Other Ecosystem Benefits. London: Filbert Press