Clianthus puniceus (Kaka Beak)
Clianthus puniceus (Kaka Beak)
The kaka-beak is a stunning shrub known for its dense clusters of brilliant red, claw-like flowers, which drip from arching branches in summer Indeed, even the Latin name alludes to the splendour of the species’ brilliantly coloured flowers, with Clianthus puniceus deriving from the Greek kleos, meaning ‘glory’, anthos, meaning ‘flower’, and puniceus, meaning ‘reddish-purple’ . Its common name comes from the resemblance of the flowers to the beak of the kaka; a large species of parrot that used to be common in New Zealand forests. Typical of members of the pea family (Leguminosae), this plant has long green leaves made up of smaller, opposing pinnate leaflets , and flowers are succeeded by large dangling pea pods. Though rare in the wild, the kaka-beak is widely cultivated and a popular ornamental plant common in gardens across New Zealand, its native country. Original public domain image from Flickr