Puawhananga
Here is the puawhananga or New Zealand clematis growing wild in the bush. This is one of seven varieties which grow naturally here, I have seen a beautiful green flowering one and also an alpine one but this is the most showy. Clematis paniculata or puawhananga (flower of the skies) grows throughout the country in the bush, and is regarded as a harbinger of Spring by Maori.
Across the valley on Waiheke Island I can see large showers of the white flowers, this plant is growing in the bush beside the cottage where we are staying. It does particularly well here as there are no opossums on the Island.
All images copy right Frances Jill Studd 2014
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