Pohutukawa

Pohutukawa or New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa). Pohutukawa is the more common name (which is pretty typical for NZ plants and animals), a Maori word for "drenched in mist." The trees are native to coastal regions of the North Island, New Zealand, producing iconic red flowers at the end of December. They are a favourite food of the common bushtail possum – perhaps NZ’s most despised pest. In the tree’s shade are another iconic image of NZ – sheep. Photo © 2006 Daniel Collins.