christmas-tree

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


In Australia, it is the sameas Christmas-bush (q.v.). In New Zealand, it is Metrosideros tomentosa, Banks, N.O. Myrtaceae;Maori name, Pohutukawa (q.v.).

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' p. 240:

«Some few scattered Pohutukaua trees ( Metrosiderostomentosa), the last remains of the beautiful vegetation. . . About Christmas these trees are full of charming purpleblossoms; the settler decorates his church and dwelling withits lovely branches, and calls the tree `Christmas-tree'! «

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 186:

«The Christmas-tree is in a sense the counterpart of the hollyof the home countries. As the scarlet berry gives its ruddycolour to Christmas decorations in `the old country,' so herethe creamy blossoms of the Christmas-tree are the only shrubflowers that survive the blaze of midsummer.»

1889. E. H. and S. Featon, `New Zealand Flora,' p. 163:

«The Pohutukawa blossoms in December, when its profusion ofelegant crimson-tasselled flowers imparts a beauty to therugged coast-line and sheltered bays which may fairly be calledenchanting. To the settlers it is known as the`Christmas-tree,' and sprays of its foliage and flowers areused to decorate churches and dwellings during the festiveChristmastide. To the Maoris this tree must possess a weirdsignificance, since it is related in their traditions that atthe extreme end of New Zealand there grows a Pohutukawa fromwhich a root descends to the beach below. The spirits of thedead are supposed to descend by this to an opening, which issaid to be the entrance to `Te Reinga.'»

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