Most New Zealanders love the flowers of this tree. This flowers apper around Christmas time has earned the name "New Zealand Christmas Tree". Now,we are waiting that this flowers bloom.
This is the flower of southern Rata tree which is very similar to Pohutukawa. Those tree are same family member of plants called Myrtaceae, or myrtles.
The Maori word "Pohutukawa" maens "sprinkled with spray" a delightful tribute to a tree that happily clings to seaside cliffs, or grows with its roots partly submerged in the sea.
Update: 2003/11/25 08:58:18
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