No Genevieve it isn't a palm. It's a Tree Fern, a ponga (Maori name). Just like a large fern, but so green and attractive. I have posted a couple of shots of them - look up the one called "Natural Umbrella." We do have native palms, e.g. the Nikau palm, but I don't think there are any on the island. But palms do grow here in NZ. We have some palms at home growing. Rangitoto isn't in high altitude - it is only 260 metres high. It takes from 1 hour to walk up to the summit. The fact that Rangitoto is so newly formed (circa 600 yrs) and the vegetation has grown through lots of adversities - lava and no soil to start off with, makes it unique.
Thank you for noticing y photos.
Cheers, Janice |
New Zealand
Phew, made it to the top (18)
Janice
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