'Ōhi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha)
The Latin name meaning Iron heartwood of many forms is a good description for Hawaii's most common native forest tree. Growing very slowly in some extreme circumstances, 'Ōhi'a's are now believed to be the oldest flowering plants in the northern hemisphere. Every climate zone, elevation, mountain, ridge... seems to have a different form of 'Ōhi'a leading to some complicated botanical naming. That same confusion makes them such a beautiful tree and great subject matter for legend and art. For my photos of 'Ōhi'a go here.