In New Zealand Christmas tradition, the native pōhutukawa is known as the country’s Christmas tree.
The pōhutukawa is a coastal evergreen tree that produces brilliant red flowers in late spring and early summer, around December in the Southern Hemisphere. Because Christmas falls during New Zealand’s summer, its flowering season made the tree a natural symbol of the holiday.
The species is especially associated with coastal landscapes and northern parts of New Zealand. Its Māori name is pōhutukawa, and the tree belongs to the myrtle family. The familiar red blooms have also inspired Christmas cards, songs, decorations, and seasonal imagery.
The pōhutukawa should not be confused with the kōwhai, another well-known New Zealand native tree recognized for its yellow flowers. Nor is it a conifer like the Northern Hemisphere Christmas trees commonly used indoors.