National Collection Spotlight: `Ohi`a Lehua

`Ohi`a Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha var. glaberrima) is an imperiled subspecies endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is known to be affected by Rapid Ohia Death on the island of Hawaii, a fungus causing huge concern for many species in this genus. This fungal pathogen infects healthy trees and kills them as quickly as a few days after infection. The disease is often spread by humans and other animals transporting tissue from infected trees into areas inhabited by healthy trees.

`Ohi`a Lehua is held in the CPC National Collection at Harold L. Lyon Arboretum of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Lyon Arboretum collected this species in 2019 and has done research into the viability of its mature seeds in storage. Learn more about conservation actions taken for this `Ohi`a Lehua on its National Collection Plant Profile and help support critical conservation work for this species at Lyon Arboretum with a Plant Sponsorship.