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Mu’o — The Growing Buds of Ohia Lehua
Posted: November 30, 2007
The growing buds of ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), known as mu’o in Hawaiian, show considerable variation in color, form and texture. They can range in color from green to yellow to red and can be covered in fine fuzzy hairs.
The muo (buds) on this ohia shrub growing on the crest of the Waianae Mountains at Puu Hapapa starts off as yellow-green buds that open into green liko (young leaves) outlined in red along the edges of its velvety young leaves.
Metrosideros polymorpha var. dieterii has red leaf buds that sprout in pairs on the growing tip of each branch along the Pihea Trail in Kokee along the rim of Kalalau Valley on Kauai.
Here is a closeup of the red mu’o growing along side white lichen on the Pihea Trail.
This muo starts off a mottled green-yellow-orange color and transforms itself into a vibrant red liko (young leaves) at the Kalalau Lookout at Kokee on Kauai.
Both the leaf and flower buds of this mu’o are completely covered in fine fuzzy hairs that protect the tender young buds from the elements.
Absolutely beautiful. I just planted my first ohia and was observing the mu’o growth this morning. Thanks for posting these photos.
Glad you like these photos. I hope your first muo opens into liko and that your ohia thrives and flowers. I love to observe the entire flowering progression when the buds open into flowers, get pollinated, and go to seed. You have a lot to look foward to — good luck!