Gareth Carter: Why the pohutukawa brings out the Kiwi in us all
8 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Pohutukawa trees give a real Kiwiana feel of barbecues, going to the beach and general relaxation. Photo / Supplied
I associate summer in New Zealand with the flowering of pohutukawa trees. To me it gives a real Kiwiana feel of barbecues, going to the beach and general relaxation. I am always on the look out for them flowering and can t help but continually point out good flowering specimens whenever I am driving, to whomever is in the car with me to hear it!
There are many specimens around Whanganui as street trees, in parks as well as many in private gardens. As many have originated as seedlings, there is sometimes a noticeable variant between trees that includes the flower colour, flower timing and sometimes growth habit too.
Nick Gee/Wellington City Council
Wellington s original Christmas trees, the rātā, are in full bloom in Otari-Wilton s bush, a rare sight only possible thanks to more than two decades of possum control. Drone videography by Nick Gee.
Wellington may be awash in the red of the New Zealand Christmas tree, but the capital is also home to some of the pōhutukawa’s rare relatives, if you know where to look. Shelly Bay is better known for long-running battle over a planned $500m development, but it is also home to a rare yellow pōhutukawa. Lucy Cash has enjoyed and photographed the Shelly Bay yellow pōhutukawa for years and hopes it won’t be lost if the development goes ahead.
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Christmas: Festive plants from around the world
When it comes to festive flora, the Christmas tree often steals the spotlight. But countless other plants have become symbols of the holiday season.
Christmas trees are part of the seasonal fabric
Poinsettia
The poinsettia, with its striking red and green foliage, is one of the most iconic Christmas plants although its popularity is only a relatively recent development. The plant originally hails from Mexico and Central America. It was first cultivated by the Aztecs, who called it
cuetlaxochitl and made dye from its brightly colored leaves and used its sap for medicinal purposes.
Christmas: Traditional festive plants from around the world | Environment| All topics from climate change to conservation | DW dw.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dw.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.