''Metrosideros colensoi'', the climbing rata or Colenso's rātā, is a forest liane or vine that is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
. It is one of a number of New Zealand
Metrosideros
''Metrosideros'' is a genus of approximately 60 trees, shrubs, and vines mostly found in the Pacific region in the family Myrtaceae. Most of the tree forms are small, but some are exceptionally large, the New Zealand species in particular. The n ...
species which live out their lives as vines, unlike the northern rata (
M.robusta), which generally begins as a
hemi-epiphyte
A hemiepiphyte is a plant that spends part of its life cycle as an epiphyte. The seeds of primary hemiepiphytes germinate in the canopy and initially live epiphytically. They send roots downward, and these roots eventually make contact with t ...
before growing into a huge tree. It grows to around 6 metres in height and bears clusters of pink or white flowers. It is unusual amongst New Zealand's metrosideros species in that its branches display a weeping habit, forming a 'hanging curtain' appearance. This behaviour is uncommon in New Zealand native plants. The name commemorates
William Colenso
William Colenso (17 November 1811 – 10 February 1899) FRS was a Cornish Christian missionary to New Zealand, and also a printer, botanist, explorer and politician. He attended the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and later wrote an accou ...
, an early Cornish Christian missionary who was one of the great characters of New Zealand botany.
Description
The flowers of Colenso's rātā are either white or pale pink, and flowering is usually from November until January. Foliage is a dark green colour, with new years growth appearing in a contrasting lighter green. It is usual to find the vine form of rātā climbing up other forest trees, however Colenso's rātā is also partial to limestone cliff faces where it can climb cliffs relatively undisturbed. It is found within lowland forest as far south as Greymouth and Kaikoura.
Conservation
As of 2012, Metrosideros colensoi is not regarded as threatened.
Cultivation
Metrosideros colensoi is a notable plant in cultivation, but considerably undervalued. However, it is in several ways superior to more commonly grown species, such as
Metrosideros carminea
''Metrosideros carminea'' (Carmine rātā, Crimson rātā or in Māori akakura) is a forest liane or vine that is endemic to New Zealand. It occurs in coastal and lowland forest from Te Paki in the north of the North Island south to Māhia Penins ...
, on account of the ordered appearance of its growth form, and the 'movement' conveyed by its downward arching branches.
See also
*
Carmine/Crimson Rātā
*
Large White Rātā
*
Scarlet Rātā
*
Small White Rātā
*
White Rātā
References
Further reading
*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 links
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15372333
colensoi
Endemic flora of New Zealand
Trees of New Zealand
Garden plants of New Zealand