New Zealand - Assorted Photos
Auckland. Red flowers of Pohutukawa
Pohutukawa plays a very important role in the ecology of northern New Zealand. Honey eating birds such as the tui and bellbird feed on its nectar. The flowers bloom just before Christmas until well into January. Because of this, it is often referred to as New Zealand's Christmas tree. It was the early settlers, who gave it this name. They used the flowers to decorate their homes at Christmas time, instead of holly.