Christmas in the tropics, like Christmas in Australia is different. I took this picture this morning about 1/2 a mile up the road. This is what Christmas poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) look like here. These are small and spindly because we have had drought this year, we are currently at less than 25% of our annual average rainfall.
Just a little further down the road this magnificent Pyrostegia venusta, or Flame Vine cascades over a bridge abutment.
Here is a close up of this rampant and invasive vine which can smother a full grown tree.
Another variety of Poinsettia sometimes called a small leaf Poinsettia or Snowbush is Euphorbia leucocephala. In the summer it is an insignificant green bush, but in wintertime . . .
Aloe Vera in bloom, we use the sticky sap from the leaves for sunburn and to heal just about any skin irritation.
and a close up of the flower
I hope you enjoyed the tour and
Y’all come back!
I’m up to my a** in frigid cold weather, but Henrietta sends me pictures of beautiful blooming flowers to cheer me up! I am SO jealous!!
Posted by Lori on December 15th, 2009.
Life sucks!
Posted by Henrietta on December 15th, 2009.
Gorgeous photos, Henrietta. But what I really, really love to see are the green hills behind the photos. Here in my part Australia we never have green hills at Christmas. But then, I do live in the driest state in the driest continent.
A very Merry Christmas to you and all your readers.
Posted by Judy on December 15th, 2009.
Sigh. It’s grey and cold and rainy here, so the pictures were most welcome. It’s great to see poinsettias in their native habitat.
Posted by Brenda on December 15th, 2009.