Ohia Lehua

Description:

Ohia lehua is one of the most commonly found native trees in Hawaii. It is a tall, cartoon like tree with many different stamens protruding from its twisted grey trunk. This tree is known for both its beautiful wood, and its flowers which can range from yellow, to dark red. This tree produces a hard wood, so its uses included canoes, weapons and jewelry. The flowers are still used today as decorations and leis. This tree can range from being a small shrub, to a giant, 80 foot tall tree with a trunk thats 8 feet in diameter. The size of the tree mainly depends on location, and weather.

Habitat:

This tree prefers wet, boggy areas where water is plentiful. Its soil preference is from acidic to neutral. It is also one of the only plants that are able to grow on hardened laws plants. It is very prominent in high, wet areas and are more sparse in dry lowland areas.

Notes:

Myth States that if a flower is picked, it will soon rain. This is said because these flowers are usually found where rain is plentiful.