Kanuka Flower

Botanical name: Kunzea ericoides
Common name:  Tea Tree (white)
Maori name:        Kanuka

Kanuka is common throughout lowland and mountain scrub and along forest margins in the North and South Islands, from sea level to 900 metres. Kanuka can grow up to 15 metres tall with long strips of loose, papery bark and small leaves that feel silky when young. Flowers are small, to 5 mm, have a musty, heady scent, white with purple centre, long stamens and are formed in clusters, they quite often smoother the tree like a white blanket throughout summer.

Kanuka oil was used by Maori and is now sold in New Zealand and other countries as Teatree oil for its anti-worm, antibacterial and insecticidal properties. Maori also used pounded kanuka seed capsules to make a poultice for running sores.

Thankfully Mum and I were out reasonably early this morning, the sun was bright and very hot with the occasional wiff of wind but this afternoon has been stifling with huge gusts of wind, hopeless for taking shots of such delicate little flowers.

Daughter E has been in the heat and wind all day, she has a 13 hour rehearsal for 'Christmas in the Park' as the performance is tomorrow night. I will go to support her but its not normally my 'cup of tea' as I'm not a crowd lover. Its a free outdoor concert full of Christmas music and dance from a range of performers - orchestral to modern. Santa makes an appearance, Daughter E is one of Santa's Little Helpers, and I think they finish with fireworks. One concert in Christchurch followed by a concert in Auckland the following weekend, it is televised over our Christmas period.

Its still 26C as I type, the house is hot, I'm hot and not very hungry - perhaps a late bbq when things cool down.

Have a great weekend everyone, the last one for November :)