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Why The Word Metrosideros Is Derived From Two Greek Words

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The word Metrosideros is derived from two Greek words –“metra” which means “core or heart”, and “sideron” which means “iron”. Thus, Metrosideros species are referred to as iron-hearted trees referring to the durability and hardness of their wood (Dawson & Stemmermann, 1990). The genus Metrosideros belongs to the family Myrtaceae which consists of around 135 genera and more than 3000 species. A substantial number of species of this family are found in Australia and South America while fewer species are found in Africa (Wilson, 1996). Metrosideros is a widely distributed genus with representatives in the Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand and many of the Pacific Islands but missing in Australia, Indonesia, or Micronesia (Wilson, 1996). One outgroup species, M.angustifolia, is also present in South Africa (Dawson, 1975). There are about 53 species in genus Metrosideros across the Pacific ranging from the Philippine Islands to New Zealand in the south and reaching to various volcanic Islands in the east including Hawaii (Dawson & Stemmermann, 1990). New Zealand (with 12 spp.) and New Caledonia (with 16 spp.) are considered to be centres of diversity for the genus. The New Zealand group includes six root climbing vines (M. albiflora, M. carminea, M. colensoi, M. diffusa, M. fulgens, and M. perforata), one shrub (M. parkinsonii) and five tree species (M. bartlettii, M. excelsa, M. kermadecensis, M. robusta, and M. umbellata) (Dawson, 1988). New Zealand is

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