#polymorpha

The Dead Man’s Fingers

Xylaria polymorpha, is generally known as “dead man’s fingers”, is a saprobic fungus. The plant is habitually inhabitant of forest and woodland areas, normally growing from the bases of rotting or injured tree stumps and decaying wood. The Xylaria polymorpha is a very rare and distinct species of fungus that is widely distributed throughout the deciduous forests of North America and Europe. It…

'Ohi'a Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha var. polymorpha) by Jupiter Nielsen on Flickr.

Metrosideros robusta: Northern rātā, reminiscent of Hawai'i endemic ʻōhiʻa lehua Metrosideros polymorpha, also has brilliant red new leaves called liko in Hawaiian.  It would be great to know if there is a Māori counterpart for liko. This glorious tree is endemic to Aotearoa (New Zealand), occurring naturally on both islands. San Francisco Botanical Garden (Strybing Arboretum)  San Francisco, California

'ōhi'a lehua mamo

Metrosideros polymorpha 'lutea'