Name Tuva-lisa Date 4.4.19
Pōhutakawa Junior Journal 45
Because the pōhutukawa has red flowers and it blooms
in December, it is often thought of as New Zealand’s
christmas tree. The pōhutukawa is special to Maori,
and it provides a habitat and food for many creatures.
Pōhutukawa prefer to grow in warm places by the sea, and they
have special features which help them grow in sandy soil.
The top of its leaves are shiny and green with a waxy coating
which helps protect them from the salt, sun and dry conditions.
The bark is rough which protects the tree from losing
water through its trunk and branches. New flower buds have a
special covering which helps protect them from wind and salt.
The roots grow deep into the soil or sand. They take water
from the ground to help them grow and stand up.
Pōhutukawa provide a home and food for birds,
insects and other creatures. Some seabirds
such as shags make their nests in their branches.
Other birds, like the tui, eat the Nectar
from the flowers. Lizards and pekapeka also like to
eat the nectar. Insects such as weevils and moths eat
the leaves, flowers, wood and bark, and live in the dead
leaves under the trees.
protect
Christmas
habitat
waxy
insects
seabirds
Nectar
leaves
features
bark
www.theresourcecupboard.co.nz ©
