Pohutukawa flowers.
Pohutukawa are presently flowering strongly in many parts of the country, including the trees planted around Te Papa.
What does this tell us about the weather?
National Radio’s Morning Report investigates.
Because of its often spectacular summer flowering, pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) is regarded as New Zealand’s own indigenous Christmas tree. I don’t know for sure but I suspect this sentiment may be stronger in the north, with pohutukawa not occurring naturally in the wild in the south (although it is widely planted outside its native range).
