As Seen on Rare Plant Academy
‘Ohi’a lehua’s (Metrosideros polymorpha) large populations, and its status as the most common native tree in Hawaii, may stretch some people’s concept of rare (although anything endemic to Hawaii has limited distribution). Yet a species does not have to be rare to be at risk. ‘Ohi’a lehua and other ‘ohi’a species (Metrosideros sp.) face a dire threat–a fungal infection causing rapid ‘ohi’a death (ROD) that can quickly wipeout large forest stands. At the 2018 National Meeting, Seana Walsh of National Tropical Botanic Garden shared the ambitious plan to conserve these ecologically and culturally important trees. Learn more about the project by watching her engaging video and exploring related information on the Rare Plant Academy platform.