Metrosideros operculata

Metrosideros operculata is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia.^[2] It usually grows as a shrub to 3 metres in height, or rarely as a small tree to 10 metres. Stems are square in section and covered with silky hairs. The stiff, pointed leaves have a slightly revolute margin and are linear to elliptic in shape. They are 12 to 40 mm long and 3 to 10 mm wide. White, pink or red flowers with 3 petals and between 50 and 120 stamens are produced in axillary inflorescences.^[2]

Metrosideros operculata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Metrosideros
Species:	M. operculata
Binomial name
Metrosideros operculata Labill.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Nania operculata (Labill.) Kuntze

Two varieties are currently recognised:

• M. operculata var. francii J.W. Dawson
• M. operculata Labill. var. operculata^[2]