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Metrosideros excelsa, Christmas tree
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Metrosideros excelsa, Christmas tree
Finished watercolour by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 8579781
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10706516
18th Century Australasia Captain Cook Captain James Cook Cook Endeavour Eudicot Eurosid First Malvidae Metrosideros Myrtaceae Myrtales New Zealand Rosid Sydney Parkinson Angiospermae Christmas Tree Dicot Dicotyledon Magnoliophyta Metrosideros Excelsa
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This stunning watercolour painting depicts Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as the Christmas tree or the New Zealand Christmas tree, as captured by the acclaimed artist Sydney Parkinson during Captain James Cook's first voyage across the Pacific Ocean from 1768 to 1771. The painting, which is part of the extensive collection housed at Mary Evans Prints Online, offers a captivating glimpse into the natural wonders that greeted the early European explorers as they ventured into new territories. The vibrant pink flowers of the Metrosideros excelsa, a flowering plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family, are prominently featured in the illustration. This eudicot, angiosperm, and member of the Rosid clade, is native to New Zealand and other parts of Australasia. The tree is renowned for its distinctive shape, which resembles a traditional Christmas tree, and its showy, bract-like flowers, which bloom in clusters. Captain Cook and his crew were likely the first Europeans to encounter the Metrosideros excelsa, and their encounter with this exotic plant would have been a significant event during their historic journey. Parkinson's meticulous and detailed rendering of the tree is a testament to the artists' skill and the enduring fascination that the natural world holds for us all. As a member of the Magnoliophyta division, the Metrosideros excelsa is a flowering plant that plays a crucial role in the ecosystems of New Zealand and other Pacific islands. Its beauty and significance extend far beyond its role as a festive symbol, making it a fascinating subject for study and appreciation. This exquisite watercolour painting by Sydney Parkinson serves as a reminder of the rich natural heritage that was discovered during the Age of Discovery and continues to inspire and captivate us today.
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