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Metrosideros umbellata
 
 
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Southern rata (Metrosideros umbellata), is a tree endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous Islands of New Zealand, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands....
. It grows up to 15 m. or more tall with a trunk up to 1 m. or more in diameter. It produces masses of red flowers in summer. Unlike its relative, Northern rata
Metrosideros robusta

Northern rata , is a huge forest tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 25 m. or more tall, and usually begins its life as a hemi-epiphyte high in the branches of a mature forest tree; over centuries the young tree sends descending and girdling roots down and around the trunk of its host, eventually forming a massive, frequently hollow p...
, this species rarely grows as an epiphyte.

refers cooler regions with high rainfall and is particularly common along the west coast of the South Island
South Island

The South Island is the larger of the two major Islands of New Zealand of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. The Maori name for the South Island, Te Wai Pounamu, meaning "The Water/s of Greenstone" , possibly evolved from Te Wahi Pounamu which means "The Place Of Greenstone"....
 where its nectar is the main source of a locally-produced rata honey.






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Southern rata (Metrosideros umbellata), is a tree endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous Islands of New Zealand, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands....
. It grows up to 15 m. or more tall with a trunk up to 1 m. or more in diameter. It produces masses of red flowers in summer. Unlike its relative, Northern rata
Metrosideros robusta

Northern rata , is a huge forest tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 25 m. or more tall, and usually begins its life as a hemi-epiphyte high in the branches of a mature forest tree; over centuries the young tree sends descending and girdling roots down and around the trunk of its host, eventually forming a massive, frequently hollow p...
, this species rarely grows as an epiphyte.

Distribution

It prefers cooler regions with high rainfall and is particularly common along the west coast of the South Island
South Island

The South Island is the larger of the two major Islands of New Zealand of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. The Maori name for the South Island, Te Wai Pounamu, meaning "The Water/s of Greenstone" , possibly evolved from Te Wahi Pounamu which means "The Place Of Greenstone"....
 where its nectar is the main source of a locally-produced rata honey. Southern rata is the most widespread of the New Zealand tree rata species. It is locally present in the North Island
North Island

The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, the other being the South Island. The island is 113,729 square km in area, making it the List of islands by area....
 from lat. 36° southwards, is more common in western parts of the South Island
South Island

The South Island is the larger of the two major Islands of New Zealand of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. The Maori name for the South Island, Te Wai Pounamu, meaning "The Water/s of Greenstone" , possibly evolved from Te Wahi Pounamu which means "The Place Of Greenstone"....
 but absent from much of the east, and is common on Stewart Island (47ºS) and in the Auckland Islands
Auckland Islands

The Auckland Islands form an archipelago of the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands and include the following: Auckland Island, Adams Island, New Zealand, Enderby Island, New Zealand, Disappointment Island, Ewing Island, New Zealand, Dundas Island and Green Island, with a combined area of 625 km2....
 where it reaches its southern limit at just over 50°S.

Description

The flowers of Southern rata are scarlet, with stamens about 2 cm long. White or yellow flowers are also known. Flowering usually occurs between December and February, but this depends on local conditions. Leaves are from 3 to 6cm long, and are sharply pointed. The wood is hard, dense, and very strong. The bark is rough and flaky and provides an ideal stratum for the roots of epiphytic plants such as Astelia species and Freycinetia banksii (Kiekie). Southern rata is a major source of honey on the West Coast of the South Island. Kaka
Kaka

The Kaka, Nestor meridionalis, is a parrot endemism to the forests of New Zealand....
, tui
Tui (bird)

The Tui is an endemic passerine bird of New Zealand. It is one of the largest members of the diverse honeyeater family.The name Tui is from the Maori language name tui and is the species' formal common name....
, and bellbird
New Zealand Bellbird

The New Zealand Bellbird also known by its native name Korimako is a passerine bird Endemism in birds to New Zealand. It has greenish coloration and is the only living member of the genus Anthornis....
s visit rata to take advantage of the abundant nectar.

Conservation

Although Southern rata is not regarded as threatened, it is rather uncommon in the North Island, and in certain areas it is threatened by possum browse. In the Tararua range, Southern rata populations appear to have been replaced by a population consisting of hybrids between Northern and Southern rata.

Cultivation

Southern rata is a beautiful specimen tree, but growth can be slow unless it is grown in ideal conditions with moist soil. It is easily grown from fresh seed. While it is possible to grow the tree from soft-wood or semi-hardwood cuttings, these often prove reluctant to strike roots. It is ideal for foresting coastal environments because it has a good resistance to wind and salt. As the hardiest Metrosideros it has been planted and succeeded as north as Scotland
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
.

See also

  • Northern rata
    Metrosideros robusta

    Northern rata , is a huge forest tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 25 m. or more tall, and usually begins its life as a hemi-epiphyte high in the branches of a mature forest tree; over centuries the young tree sends descending and girdling roots down and around the trunk of its host, eventually forming a massive, frequently hollow p...
  • Bartlett's rata
    Metrosideros bartlettii

    Bartlett's rata , or the Cape Reinga white rata, is one of twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand and is notable for its extreme rarity and its white flowers, somewhat uncommon in that genus of red-flowered trees and plants....
  • Pohutukawa
  • Scarlet rata vine
    Metrosideros fulgens

    Metrosideros fulgens is a forest liane or vine endemism to New Zealand. It occurs in coastal and lowland forest throughout the North Island and on the west coast of the South Island....


External links

  • [https://www.projectcrimson.org.nz Project Crimson]