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{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{taxobox
|name = Southern rātā
|name = Southern rātā
|image = Rata-tree.jpg
|image = Rata-tree.jpg
|image_caption = Southern rātā near Franz Josef Glacier
|image_caption = Southern rātā near [[Franz Josef Glacier]]
|genus = Metrosideros
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
|species = umbellata
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperm]]s
|unranked_classis = [[Eudicot]]s
|authority = [[Cav.]]
|unranked_ordo = [[Rosid]]s
|ordo = [[Myrtales]]
|familia = [[Myrtaceae]]
|genus = ''[[Metrosideros]]''
|species = '''''M. umbellata'''''
|binomial = '' Metrosideros umbellata''
|binomial_authority = [[Cav.]]
|range_map = Metrosideros umbellata distribution.png
|range_map = Metrosideros umbellata distribution.png
|range_map_caption = Distribution of ''M. umbellata'' in mainland New Zealand. Auckland Islands not shown.
|range_map_caption = Distribution of ''M. umbellata'' in mainland New Zealand. Auckland Islands not shown.
|synonyms = ''Metrosideros lucida'' (G. Forst) A. Rich<ref name=syn>[http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=978 ''Metrosideros umbellata''] in NZPCN-database</ref>
|range_map_caption = Distribution of ''M. umbellata'' in mainland New Zealand. Auckland Islands not shown.
|}}
}}
'''Southern rātā''' (''Metrosideros umbellata''), is a tree endemic to [[New Zealand]]. 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, [[Metrosideros robusta|Northern rātā]], this species rarely grows as an [[epiphyte]].


'''''Metrosideros umbellata''''', the '''southern rātā''', is a tree endemic to [[New Zealand]]. It grows up to {{convert|15|m}} or more tall with a trunk up to {{convert|1|m}} or more in diameter. It produces masses of red flowers in summer. Unlike its relative, [[Metrosideros robusta|northern rātā]], this species rarely grows as an [[epiphyte]].
== Distribution==
[[Image:Southern-Rata-Auckland-Islands.jpg|thumb|left|Southern rātā growing at its southern limits in the Auckland Islands at 50°S]]It prefers cooler regions with high rainfall and is particularly common along the west coast of the [[South Island]] where its nectar is the main source of a locally-produced rātā honey. Southern rātā is the most widespread of the New Zealand tree rātā species. It is locally present in the [[North Island]] from lat. 36° southwards, is more common in western parts of the [[South Island]] but absent from much of the east, and is common on [[Stewart Island]] (47ºS) and in the [[Auckland Islands]] where it reaches its southern limit at just over 50°S.


==Description==
==Description==
The flowers of Southern rātā are scarlet, with stamens about 2&nbsp;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 6&nbsp;cm 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 rātā is a major source of honey on the West Coast of the South Island. [[Kākā]], [[Tui (bird)|tui]], and [[New Zealand Bellbird|bellbird]]s visit rātā to take advantage of the abundant nectar.
The flowers of southern rātā are scarlet, with stamens about {{convert|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 {{convert|3|cm}} to {{convert|6|cm}} 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 rātā is a major source of honey on the West Coast of the South Island. The [[New Zealand kaka|kākā]], [[tūī]], and [[New Zealand bellbird|bellbirds]] visit southern rātā to take advantage of the abundant nectar.


[[Image:Southern-Rata-Auckland-Islands.jpg|thumb|left|Southern rātā growing at its southern limits in the Auckland Islands at 50°S]]
== Conservation==
Although Southern rātā 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 rātā populations appear to have been replaced by a population consisting of hybrids between Northern and Southern rātā.


== Distribution ==
[[Project Crimson]] is a charitable trust that promotes conservation of rata as well as the related [[pohutukawa]].
It prefers cooler regions with high rainfall and is particularly common along the west coast of the [[South Island]] where its nectar is the main source of a locally produced rātā honey. Southern rātā is the most widespread of the New Zealand tree rātā species. It is locally present in the [[North Island]] from latitude 36° southwards, is more common in western parts of the [[South Island]] but absent from much of the east, and is common on [[Stewart Island]] (47°S) and in the [[Auckland Islands]], where it reaches its southern limit at just over 50°S.


== Cultivation==
== Conservation ==
Although southern rātā 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 rātā populations appear to have been replaced by a population consisting of hybrids between northern and southern rātā.
Southern rātā 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 softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings, these often prove reluctant to strike roots. It is ideal for coastal environments because it has a good resistance to wind and salt.<ref name= GCNursery>{{cite web|url= http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/gondwana.html|title= Gondwanan Plants What Are They and Why Grow Them in Britain?|publisher=Garden Cottage Nursery|accessdate=2009-06-18}}</ref>

[[Project Crimson]] is a charitable trust that promotes conservation of rātā as well as the related [[Metrosideros excelsa|pōhutukawa]].

== Cultivation ==
Southern rātā 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 softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings, these often prove reluctant to strike roots. It is ideal for coastal environments because it has a good resistance to wind and salt.<ref name=GCNursery>{{cite web|url= http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/gondwana.html|title= Gondwanan Plants What Are They and Why Grow Them in Britain?|publisher= Garden Cottage Nursery|accessdate= 2009-06-18|url-status= dead|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090429071738/http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/gondwana.html|archivedate= 2009-04-29}}</ref>

At least 16 [[cultivar]]s of southern rātā have been released.<ref name="MiC2">{{cite journal|title=Metrosideros in cultivation: Rata and other species |date=2010 |journal=New Zealand Garden Journal |volume=13 |issue=2|page=11|url=http://www.rnzih.org.nz/RNZIH_Journal/Pages_10-23_from_2010_Vol13_No2.pdf}}</ref> There are also known cultivars of hybrids between southern rātā and pōhutukawa, and between northern rātā and southern rātā.<ref name="MiC1">{{cite journal|title=Metrosideros in cultivation: Pōhutukawa|journal=New Zealand Garden Journal|date=2010|volume=13|issue=1|pages=10–22|url=http://www.rnzih.org.nz/RNZIH_Journal/Pages_10-22_from_2010_Vol13_No1.pdf|accessdate=2015-05-25}}</ref> Known cultivars include:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Cultivar name
! Year introduced
! Flower colour
! Introduced by
! Notes
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Alba’<ref name="MiC2" />
| mid-1980s
| White/cream
| Denis Hughes
| Leaves are a paler lemon-green then standard plants. Sourced from Soaker Hill in [[the Catlins]], South [[Otago]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Christmas Dream’<ref name="MiC2" />
| Late 1970s
| Red
| Denis Hughes
| Sourced from [[Lake Manapouri]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Denniston Yellow’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 1995
| Sulphur Yellow
| Deane Keir
| Sourced from the [[Denniston Plateau]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Fireball’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 1993
| Bright crimson
| Deane Keir
| Sourced from the [[Stockton, New Zealand|Stockton Plateau]] at a place called Burning Mine.
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Firecracker’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 1995
| Deep red
| Jeff Elliott
| Sourced from Whanganui Inlet, North-West Nelson.
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Gold Beacon’<ref name="MiC2" />
| -
| Sulphur Yellow
| Les Cleveland
| Sourced from the [[Otira|Otira Gorge]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Gold Nugget’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 1992
| Red
| Joe Cartman
| Golden new leaves with thin red leaf margins. Sourced from side-shoot of ''M. umbellata'' ‘Harlequin’. Also sold as ''M. umbellata'' ‘Lownug’.
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Harlequin’<ref name="MiC2" />
| md-1980s
| Red
| Joe Cartman
| Variegated cultivar with yellow leaf margins. Sourced from [[Nugget Point]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Kaka’<ref name="MiC2" />
| late-1990s
| Pink
| Denis Hughes
| Sourced from [[Kaka Point]], [[Otago]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Moonlight’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 2001
| Red
| Pattersons Nurseries
| Reverse variegated cultivar. Sourced from side-shoot of ''M. umbellata'' ‘Gold Nugget’. Also sold as ''M. umbellata'' ‘Lowmoo’.
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Mt Augustus’<ref name="MiC2" />
| Late-1970s
| Red
| Louise Salmond
| Sourced from the [[Stockton, New Zealand|Stockton Plateau]] at a place called Mt Augustus.
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Red Tips’<ref name="MiC2" />
| Mid-1990s
| Red
| Les Cleveland
| New leaves have a red tip. Sourced from an island in [[Lake Wānaka]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘St Nicholas’<ref name="MiC2" />
| Late 1970s
| Red
| Denis Hughes
| Sourced from [[Lake Manapouri]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Scarlet Beacon’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 2002
| Red
| Les Cleveland
| -
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Silver Beacon’<ref name="MiC2" />
| Mid-1990s
| Red
| Les Cleveland
| New leaves have a silvery tip. Sourced from an island in [[Lake Wānaka]].
|-
| ''M. umbellata'' ‘Sparrow’s Hybrid’<ref name="MiC2" />
| 1994
| Red
| Mr Sparrow
| Sourced from the banks of the [[Avon River (Canterbury)|Avon River]] in [[Christchurch]], between Madras and Manchester Streets. Source material provided by Mr Sparrow, a customer of the nursery. Despite the name, this cultivar is not a hybrid.
|-
| ¤ ''Metrosideros'' ‘Cleveland Red’<ref name="MiC1" />
| late-1990s
| Scarlet<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrosideros Cleveland Red (umbellata x excelsa)|url=http://www.nzcolourlabels.co.nz/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=2909|website=NZ Colour Labels|accessdate=21 June 2015}}</ref>
| Les Cleveland
| Deliberate interspecific hybrid.
|-
| ¤ ''Metrosideros'' ‘Maungapiko’<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1985
| Bright crimson
| Graeme Platt
| Sourced from Maungapiko Track, [[Great Barrier Island]].
|-
| ¤ ''Metrosideros'' ‘Rustic Beauty’<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1985
| -
| Les Cleveland
| Deliberate interspecific hybrid.
|-
| ∞ ''Metrosideros'' ‘Sentinel Flame’<ref name="MiC1" />
| 2007
| Bright red<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrosideros umb x rob 'Sentinel Flame'|url=http://vibrantearth.co.nz/catalogue/plantsdetail.php?pid=1674&name=METROSIDEROS%20umb%20x%20rob%20%27Sentinel%20Flame%27|website=Vibrant Earth|publisher=Vibrant Earth|accessdate=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123144941/http://www.vibrantearth.co.nz/catalogue/plantsdetail.php?pid=1674&name=METROSIDEROS%20umb%20x%20rob%20'Sentinel%20Flame'|archive-date=23 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Graeme Platt / Vibrant Earth nursery
| Sourced from either [[Great Barrier Island]] or North-West [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]].
|}
∞ Hybrid of southern rātā and northern rātā<br/>
¤ Hybrid of southern rātā and pōhutukawa


==See also==
==See also==
*''[[Metrosideros excelsa]]'', pōhutukawa
{{Portal|Trees}}
*[[Metrosideros robusta|Northern rātā]]
*''[[Metrosideros robusta]]'', northern rātā
*[[Metrosideros bartlettii|Bartlett's rātā]]
*''[[Metrosideros bartlettii]]'', Bartlett's rātā
*[[Metrosideros excelsa|Pōhutukawa]]
*''[[Metrosideros parkinsonii]]'', Parkinson's rātā
*[[Metrosideros fulgens|Scarlet rātā vine]]


== References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*{{cite web |title=''Metrosideros umbellata''|work=Flora of New Zealand |url= http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_42b6cbd7-e582-4f4d-ba21-7d69070266dd&fileName=Flora%201.xml|accessdate=2007-06-09 }}
*{{cite web |title=''Metrosideros umbellata''|work=Flora of New Zealand |url= http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_42b6cbd7-e582-4f4d-ba21-7d69070266dd&fileName=Flora%201.xml|accessdate=2007-06-09 }}
*{{cite web |title=''Metrosideros umbellata''|work=New Zealand Plant Conservation Network |url= http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.asp?ID=978|accessdate=2010-10-02 }}
*{{cite web |title=''Metrosideros umbellata''|work=New Zealand Plant Conservation Network |url= http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.asp?ID=978|accessdate=2010-10-02 }}
*{{cite web |title=''Southern Rata Fact Sheet''|work=Project Crimson |url= http://www.projectcrimson.org.nz/images/file/Fact%20Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Southern-Rata.pdf|accessdate=2013-07-30 }}
*{{cite web |title=''Southern Rata Fact Sheet'' |work=Project Crimson |url=http://www.projectcrimson.org.nz/images/file/Fact%20Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Southern-Rata.pdf |accessdate=2013-07-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208220320/http://www.projectcrimson.org.nz/images/file/Fact%20Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Southern-Rata.pdf |archivedate=2013-02-08 }}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
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{{New Zealand Metrosideros Species}}
{{New Zealand Metrosideros Species}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1461888}}

[[Category:Metrosideros|umbellata]]
[[Category:Metrosideros|umbellata]]
[[Category:Endemic flora of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Endemic flora of New Zealand]]
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[[Category:Trees of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Trees of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Trees of mild maritime climate]]
[[Category:Trees of mild maritime climate]]
[[Category:Garden plants of Australasia]]
[[Category:Garden plants of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Honey plants]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Antonio José Cavanilles]]

Latest revision as of 11:41, 25 December 2024

Southern rātā
Southern rātā near Franz Josef Glacier
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Metrosideros
Species:
M. umbellata
Binomial name
Metrosideros umbellata
Distribution of M. umbellata in mainland New Zealand. Auckland Islands not shown.
Synonyms

Metrosideros lucida (G. Forst) A. Rich[1]

Metrosideros umbellata, the southern rātā, is a tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 15 metres (49 ft) or more tall with a trunk up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) or more in diameter. It produces masses of red flowers in summer. Unlike its relative, northern rātā, this species rarely grows as an epiphyte.

Description

[edit]

The flowers of southern rātā are scarlet, with stamens about 2 centimetres (0.79 in) 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 centimetres (1.2 in) to 6 centimetres (2.4 in) 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 rātā is a major source of honey on the West Coast of the South Island. The kākā, tūī, and bellbirds visit southern rātā to take advantage of the abundant nectar.

Southern rātā growing at its southern limits in the Auckland Islands at 50°S

Distribution

[edit]

It prefers cooler regions with high rainfall and is particularly common along the west coast of the South Island where its nectar is the main source of a locally produced rātā honey. Southern rātā is the most widespread of the New Zealand tree rātā species. It is locally present in the North Island from latitude 36° southwards, is more common in western parts of the South Island but absent from much of the east, and is common on Stewart Island (47°S) and in the Auckland Islands, where it reaches its southern limit at just over 50°S.

Conservation

[edit]

Although southern rātā 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 rātā populations appear to have been replaced by a population consisting of hybrids between northern and southern rātā.

Project Crimson is a charitable trust that promotes conservation of rātā as well as the related pōhutukawa.

Cultivation

[edit]

Southern rātā 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 softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings, these often prove reluctant to strike roots. It is ideal for coastal environments because it has a good resistance to wind and salt.[2]

At least 16 cultivars of southern rātā have been released.[3] There are also known cultivars of hybrids between southern rātā and pōhutukawa, and between northern rātā and southern rātā.[4] Known cultivars include:

Cultivar name Year introduced Flower colour Introduced by Notes
M. umbellata ‘Alba’[3] mid-1980s White/cream Denis Hughes Leaves are a paler lemon-green then standard plants. Sourced from Soaker Hill in the Catlins, South Otago.
M. umbellata ‘Christmas Dream’[3] Late 1970s Red Denis Hughes Sourced from Lake Manapouri.
M. umbellata ‘Denniston Yellow’[3] 1995 Sulphur Yellow Deane Keir Sourced from the Denniston Plateau.
M. umbellata ‘Fireball’[3] 1993 Bright crimson Deane Keir Sourced from the Stockton Plateau at a place called Burning Mine.
M. umbellata ‘Firecracker’[3] 1995 Deep red Jeff Elliott Sourced from Whanganui Inlet, North-West Nelson.
M. umbellata ‘Gold Beacon’[3] - Sulphur Yellow Les Cleveland Sourced from the Otira Gorge.
M. umbellata ‘Gold Nugget’[3] 1992 Red Joe Cartman Golden new leaves with thin red leaf margins. Sourced from side-shoot of M. umbellata ‘Harlequin’. Also sold as M. umbellata ‘Lownug’.
M. umbellata ‘Harlequin’[3] md-1980s Red Joe Cartman Variegated cultivar with yellow leaf margins. Sourced from Nugget Point.
M. umbellata ‘Kaka’[3] late-1990s Pink Denis Hughes Sourced from Kaka Point, Otago.
M. umbellata ‘Moonlight’[3] 2001 Red Pattersons Nurseries Reverse variegated cultivar. Sourced from side-shoot of M. umbellata ‘Gold Nugget’. Also sold as M. umbellata ‘Lowmoo’.
M. umbellata ‘Mt Augustus’[3] Late-1970s Red Louise Salmond Sourced from the Stockton Plateau at a place called Mt Augustus.
M. umbellata ‘Red Tips’[3] Mid-1990s Red Les Cleveland New leaves have a red tip. Sourced from an island in Lake Wānaka.
M. umbellata ‘St Nicholas’[3] Late 1970s Red Denis Hughes Sourced from Lake Manapouri.
M. umbellata ‘Scarlet Beacon’[3] 2002 Red Les Cleveland -
M. umbellata ‘Silver Beacon’[3] Mid-1990s Red Les Cleveland New leaves have a silvery tip. Sourced from an island in Lake Wānaka.
M. umbellata ‘Sparrow’s Hybrid’[3] 1994 Red Mr Sparrow Sourced from the banks of the Avon River in Christchurch, between Madras and Manchester Streets. Source material provided by Mr Sparrow, a customer of the nursery. Despite the name, this cultivar is not a hybrid.
¤ Metrosideros ‘Cleveland Red’[4] late-1990s Scarlet[5] Les Cleveland Deliberate interspecific hybrid.
¤ Metrosideros ‘Maungapiko’[4] 1985 Bright crimson Graeme Platt Sourced from Maungapiko Track, Great Barrier Island.
¤ Metrosideros ‘Rustic Beauty’[4] 1985 - Les Cleveland Deliberate interspecific hybrid.
Metrosideros ‘Sentinel Flame’[4] 2007 Bright red[6] Graeme Platt / Vibrant Earth nursery Sourced from either Great Barrier Island or North-West Nelson.

∞ Hybrid of southern rātā and northern rātā
¤ Hybrid of southern rātā and pōhutukawa

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Metrosideros umbellata in NZPCN-database
  2. ^ "Gondwanan Plants What Are They and Why Grow Them in Britain?". Garden Cottage Nursery. Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Metrosideros in cultivation: Rata and other species" (PDF). New Zealand Garden Journal. 13 (2): 11. 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Metrosideros in cultivation: Pōhutukawa" (PDF). New Zealand Garden Journal. 13 (1): 10–22. 2010. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
  5. ^ "Metrosideros Cleveland Red (umbellata x excelsa)". NZ Colour Labels. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Metrosideros umb x rob 'Sentinel Flame'". Vibrant Earth. Vibrant Earth. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Salmon, J.T., 1986. The Native Trees of New Zealand. Wellington: Heinneman Reed.
  • Simpson, P., 2005. Pōhutukawa & Rātā: New Zealand's Iron-Hearted Trees. Wellington: Te Papa Press.
[edit]