Blogmas 2017 Day 19: The Kiwi Chirstmas Tree, The Pōhutukawa

Thistles and Kiwis,

This is a reblogged post from Blogmas 2016.

If you’ve ever had a Christmas card from New Zealand, it may well have had a picture of some bright, red flowers on it.  These are the flowers of the pōhutukawa tree, which has earned this tree the title of New Zealand’s Christmas tree.

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Wellington trees
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The flowers
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A bee on a flower

Pōhutukawa can also be found in Māori mythology. The young Māori warrior, Tawhaki went to find help in heaven to avenge his father’s death. However, he fell to earth and the crimson flowers are said to represent his blood.

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Tree, Wellington

Check out Project Crimson to read about the preservation of these trees.

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You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram@thistleandkiwis.  As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days.  If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com

 

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

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