Iconic symbol of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and other national sports teams and athletes. I photographed this frond fragment on a trail in Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Wellington, NZ in March 2022. Alsophina dealbata, can grow to 30 feet and the full fern frond can be 10 feet long. It is the underside that is white/silver.
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New and OldNew and Old
This season’s new, elongated, light green leaves are so different from the older rounded blue green leaves found on the same branch. Possibly Eucalyptus polyanthemos.
Pohutakawa, the New Zealand Christmas TreePohutakawa, the New Zealand Christmas Tree
Christmas in New Zealand is summer and everywhere around the coast you will see Metrosideros excelsa, the pohutakawa, in bloom. It’s relative, M. polymorpha, is native to Hawaii and can also be seen planted around Mission Bay in San Diego.
Shilin Gardens PavilionShilin Gardens Pavilion
The Shilin Gardens surround the official residence of past President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang) in Taipei, Taiwan. The gardens contain ponds, rose gardens, fruit trees, orchid houses and native forest. The home itself is now a museum.