About Metrosideros fulgens Sol. ex Gaertn.
Metrosideros fulgens is a species of the genus Metrosideros. It prefers warm, moist habitats and can grow to 10 metres (33 feet) or more in length, with a main stem that reaches 10 cm or more in diameter. It climbs in the same manner as ivy, growing short adventitious roots that adhere to host tree trunks, penetrating and clinging to rough surfaces. The climbing shoots of juvenile plants grow rapidly to extend the overall length of the plant. The short clinging roots typically die after about one year. When the vine matures, its thick, twisted, rope-like stems hang free from the host like thick, sometimes twisted ropes, with red-brown flaky bark. Most of its leaves have rounded tips. Flowering occurs from autumn to spring, and seed capsules take approximately one year to ripen.
Several cultivars of M. fulgens are available in cultivation, most selected for their distinct flower colors. Metrosideros fulgens ‘Gold’ (also called 'Aurata') produces bright yellow flowers from late summer to early winter. It grows to 1.5 by 1.5 metres, taking several years to reach this full size. It has attractive fresh light green foliage and can be trimmed to form an informal hedge. This cultivar was first found in 1890 near Collingwood by Mrs S. Featon of Gisborne, and was originally classified as a separate species, Metrosideros aurata. The name 'Gold' was used when the plant was introduced to cultivation; this cultivar was collected from the same area and at the same time as the cultivar 'Jaffa' described below. Metrosideros fulgens 'Jaffa' is a compact bush that grows brilliant burnt-orange flowers. This cultivar was selected in the mid-1990s by Jenny Oliphant from a specimen growing on the Tairua-Whitianga Road in the Coromandel Peninsula, and has been available commercially since 2001. Metrosideros fulgens 'Orange Princess' was released in 2000 by Duncan & Davies in Taranaki. This cultivar was sourced from the Onaero River valley and looks very similar to M. 'Jaffa'. Metrosideros fulgens 'Red Glow' is a more standard form of M. fulgens that bears orangy-red flowers. The origin of this cultivar is unknown, and it has only been available commercially for a few years. In addition to these named cultivars, regular unmodified forms of M. fulgens can also be purchased from specialist plant nurseries.
