Native Flowers of New Zealand/Plate 16
Appearance
METROSIDEROS FLORIDA, Hook. fil.
Native. Name:—Kahikahika.
This is found throughout the Islands in forests, and has a most brilliant appearance when in blossom; it clothes the lower part of the tree, and becomes a tree itself, killing the one which assisted it to climb. The colour of the flower varies from scarlet to yellow, and is often quite spherical in shape. It resembles the Golden Bottlebrush of Australia, though brighter in colour. It flowers in Autumn, and the other Ratas in Spring.