Same plant: branch and leaves. Despite its appearance, Cordyline australis is a monocot, more closely related to grasses than most other trees. It's characteristic of the New Zealand landscape: while it has been planted overseas, it grows naturally nowhere other than Aotearoa, and the sight of one of these tough, gnarly, spiky-headed trees evokes that peculiar kind of ache in the heart that says, "This is home."
[21 April 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 127 mm, ISO 400, 1/250 at f8]
All content © 2011 Pete McGregor
Sadly, many growing in England failed to survive the long harsh winter they experienced. Hopefully some may re-grow if cut right back. Those I photographed for you previously are now just short bare trunks.
ReplyDeleteAnd these eyes see it as quite alien.
ReplyDeleteRR, they're remarkably tough, so they might indeed resprout. Here's hoping.
ReplyDeleteZhoen, they do have a very distinctive, peculiar look. I can imagine them seeming very alien.