''Metrosideros parkinsonii'', also known as Parkinson's rātā or shrubby rata, is a shrub or small tree endemic 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 ...

. The name commemorates

Sydney Parkinson Sydney Parkinson (c. 1745 – 26 January 1771) was a Scottish botanical illustrator and natural history artist. He was the first European artist to visit Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. Parkinson was the first Quaker to visit New Zealand. ...

, Captain James Cook's botanical artist during his first voyage to New Zealand.

Description

The flowers of ''M. parkinsonii'' are usually crimson, and flowering is usually from September until December. Foliage varies from dark green to light green, with leaves usually clasped against the branches. Flowers will often appear directly from branches, and can sometimes be hidden behind the foliage.

Conservation

As of 2012, ''M. parkinsonii'' is not regarded as threatened. It naturally occurs in the west coast of the South Island, from Hokitika to Collingwood, as well as Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands in the

Hauraki Gulf The Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana is a coastal feature of the North Island of New Zealand. It has an area of 4000 km2,Metrosideros excelsa ''Metrosideros excelsa'', commonly known as pōhutukawa ( mi, pōhutukawa), New Zealand Christmas tree, New Zealand Christmas bush, and iron tree, is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display o ...

'', Pōhutukawa *''

Metrosideros robusta ''Metrosideros robusta'', the northern rātā, is a forest tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to or taller, and usually begins its life as a hemiepiphyte high in the branches of a mature forest tree; over centuries the young tree sends d ...

'', Northern rātā *''

Metrosideros umbellata ''Metrosideros umbellata'', the southern rātā, is a tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to or more tall with a trunk up to or more in diameter. It produces masses of red flowers in summer. Unlike its relative, northern rātā, this spe ...

'', Southern rātā *'' Metrosideros bartlettii'', Bartlett's rātā

Description

Conservation

References

Further reading