<hw>Christmas-bush</hw>, <i>n</i>. an Australian tree, <i>Ceratopetalum gummiferum</i>, Smith, <i>N.O. Saxifrageae</i>. Called also <i>Christmas-tree</i> (q.v.), and <i>Officer-bush</i>.
1888. Mrs. McCann, `Poetical Works,' p. 226:
"Gorgeous tints adorn the Christmas bush with a crimson blush."
<hw>Christmas-tree</hw>, <i>n</i>. In Australia, it is the same as <i>Christmas-bush</i> (q.v.). In New Zealand, it is <i>Metrosideros tomentosa</i>, Banks, <i>N.O. Myrtaceae</i>; Maori name, <i>Pohutukawa</i> (q.v.).
1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' p. 240:
"Some few scattered Pohutukaua trees (<i>Metrosideros tomentosa</i>), the last remains of the beautiful vegetation . . . About Christmas these trees are full of charming purple blossoms; the settler decorates his church and dwelling with its lovely branches, and calls the tree `Christmas-tree'! "
1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 186:
"The Christmas-tree is in a sense the counterpart of the holly of the home countries. As the scarlet berry gives its ruddy colour to Christmas decorations in `the old country,' so here the creamy blossoms of the Christmas-tree are the only shrub flowers that survive the blaze of midsummer."
1889. E. H. and S. Featon, `New Zealand Flora,' p. 163:
"The Pohutukawa blossoms in December, when its profusion of elegant crimson-tasselled flowers imparts a beauty to the rugged coast-line and sheltered bays which may fairly be called enchanting. To the settlers it is known as the `Christmas-tree,' and sprays of its foliage and flowers are used to decorate churches and dwellings during the festive Christmastide. To the Maoris this tree must possess a weird significance, since it is related in their traditions that at the extreme end of New Zealand there grows a Pohutukawa from which a root descends to the beach below. The spirits of the dead are supposed to descend by this to an opening, which is said to be the entrance to `Te Reinga.'"