Metrosideros albiflora, also known as large white rātā, Northland white rātā, akatea[2] or simply white rātā, is a forest liane or vineendemic to New Zealand. It is one of three white flowering rātā vines (the others being white rātā and small white rātā). The name "albiflora" indeed literally means white flowered.[3] Despite the similar names, large white rātā is distinguished by its much larger leaves and flowers. Its flowers are amongst the largest of any rātā, similar in size to both scarlet rātā and pōhutukawa.[4] It occurs almost exclusively in Kauri forests from the northern Kaimai Ranges to Te Paki at the top of the North Island.[3]
The flowers of M. albiflora are a pure white, with flowering between October and March. Leaves grow up to 9 cm long and are leathery, and the vine can grow up to 10m high. If no support is available, it will instead form a large bush, and example of this can be seen in Waima, Northland in regenerating bush.[5]
Conservationedit
As of 2012, M. albiflora is not regarded as threatened.[3]
Cultivationedit
Metrosideros albiflora has a reputation for being exacting[4] and difficult[3] and is not common in cultivation. It is however available form specialist plant nurseries.[6][7] In addition to the large white flowers, its new foliage is a reddish colour. It strongly prefers a situation where its base is afforded shade and it is not permitted to dry out excessively.[4]
There is one known cultivar of large white rātā, Metrosideros albiflora 'Northland', which is listed in the Blue Mountain Nurseries catalog.[8]
^Dawson, Murray; Hobbs, Jack; Platt, Graeme; Rumbal, Jim (2010). "Metrosideros in cultivation: Rata and other species" (PDF). New Zealand Garden Journal. 13 (2): 10–23. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
^"Blue Mountain Nursery catalog". Blue Mountain Nurseries. Blue Mountain Nursery. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
Further readingedit
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.
External linksedit
December 18, 2023
metrosideros, albiflora, also, known, large, white, rātā, northland, white, rātā, akatea, simply, white, rātā, forest, liane, vine, endemic, zealand, three, white, flowering, rātā, vines, others, being, white, rātā, small, white, rātā, name, albiflora, indeed,. Metrosideros albiflora also known as large white rata Northland white rata akatea 2 or simply white rata is a forest liane or vine endemic to New Zealand It is one of three white flowering rata vines the others being white rata and small white rata The name albiflora indeed literally means white flowered 3 Despite the similar names large white rata is distinguished by its much larger leaves and flowers Its flowers are amongst the largest of any rata similar in size to both scarlet rata and pōhutukawa 4 It occurs almost exclusively in Kauri forests from the northern Kaimai Ranges to Te Paki at the top of the North Island 3 Large white rataScientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade EudicotsClade RosidsOrder MyrtalesFamily MyrtaceaeGenus MetrosiderosSpecies M albifloraBinomial nameMetrosideros albifloraSol ex Gaertn Synonyms 1 Melaleuca albiflora Sol ex Gaertn Raeusch Metrosideros diffusa A Cunn nom illeg Nania albiflora Sol ex Gaertn Kuntze Contents 1 Description 2 Conservation 3 Cultivation 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksDescription editThe flowers of M albiflora are a pure white with flowering between October and March Leaves grow up to 9 cm long and are leathery and the vine can grow up to 10m high If no support is available it will instead form a large bush and example of this can be seen in Waima Northland in regenerating bush 5 Conservation editAs of 2012 M albiflora is not regarded as threatened 3 Cultivation editMetrosideros albiflora has a reputation for being exacting 4 and difficult 3 and is not common in cultivation It is however available form specialist plant nurseries 6 7 In addition to the large white flowers its new foliage is a reddish colour It strongly prefers a situation where its base is afforded shade and it is not permitted to dry out excessively 4 There is one known cultivar of large white rata Metrosideros albiflora Northland which is listed in the Blue Mountain Nurseries catalog 8 See also editCarmine Crimson Rata Colenso s Rata Scarlet Rata Small White Rata White RataReferences edit The Plant List A Working List of All Plant Species Retrieved 21 February 2015 akatea Maori Dictionary Retrieved 11 March 2015 a b c d Metrosideros albiflora www nzpcn org nz New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Retrieved 21 December 2014 a b c Plant profiles gt Metrosideros www o2landscapes com O2 Landscapes Retrieved 21 December 2014 Dawson Murray Hobbs Jack Platt Graeme Rumbal Jim 2010 Metrosideros in cultivation Rata and other species PDF New Zealand Garden Journal 13 2 10 23 Retrieved 21 December 2014 Metrosideros albiflora www oratianatives co nz Oratia Native Plant Nursery Retrieved 21 December 2014 Naturally Native s Online Plant Catalogue www naturallynative co nz Naturally Native Retrieved 21 December 2014 Blue Mountain Nursery catalog Blue Mountain Nurseries Blue Mountain Nursery Archived from the original on 21 December 2014 Retrieved 21 December 2014 Further reading editSalmon J T 1986 The Native Trees of New Zealand Wellington Heinneman Reed Simpson P 2005 Pōhutukawa amp Rata New Zealand s Iron Hearted Trees Wellington Te Papa Press External links edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Metrosideros albiflora amp oldid 1168977023, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
