Let the ferry sail and look around Hobsonville Point Instead.

Take time and wonder at mangroves, Pohutukawa and Harakeke(flax). My grandfather was impressed by flax plants unfortunately.

Mangroves.

Mangroves thrive in the intertidal zone. With all that salt they don’t have any competition.

.

Removing salt.

Mangroves remove. Salt through specialised glands apparently. I’m a chemist so I’ll take that on trust.

Next time.

I’ll follow the muddy slab road and have a closer look at these wee marvels.

Mangroves Buds.

I’m going to dissect one and have a look inside. Pity I missed the flowering stage. Next year.

Pohutukawa flowers.

Splashes of red that burn your eyeballs out.

Harakeke, flax.

Harakeke.

Sturdy, no nonsense flowers. I’m a chemist not a biologist. They look tough as boots.

According to legend the flax plant was responsible for the loss of a considerable family fortune.

My grandfather sold up his successful cordial business in Dunedin and moved to London.

20 specimens of New Zealand flax were on display at the great Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851. My Grandfather invested in a company, so the story goes, that was going to harvest and market this wonderful new material.

Like I did, my grandfather recognised the plant was tough as old boots. He should have stuck with cordials in Dunedin.