Metrosideros diffusa

Metrosideros diffusa
Metrosideros diffusa Crystal Showers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Metrosideros
Species: M. diffusa
Binomial name
Metrosideros diffusa
Sol. ex Gaertn.
Synonyms

Melaleuca diffusa
(G.Forst.)
Metrosideros homeana
(Turcz. ex Hook.f.)
Metrosideros myrtifolia
(Sol. ex Gaertn.)
Metrosideros subsimilis
(Colenso)
Nania diffusa
(G.Forst.) Kuntze
Nania hypericifolia
(A.Cunn.) Kuntze

Metrosideros diffusa (White Rātā, Climbing Rātā or in Māori Akakura[1]) is a forest liane or vine endemic to New Zealand. It is one of a number of New Zealand Metrosideros species which live out their lives as vines, unlike the northern rata (M.robusta), which generally begins as a hemi-epiphyte and grows into a huge tree. It is one of three white flowering rātā vines (the others being large white rātā and small white rātā). White rātā is the most common climbing rātā in the wild, found naturally in lowland forests throughout the North, South and Stewart islands.[2]

Description

Metrosideros diffusa climbs to 6 m tall and has small shiny leaves up to 2 cm or more. The leaves are mostly rounded at the tip. Flowering is from mid-spring to early summer, with white or pale pink flowers.

Cultivation

Metrosideros diffusa is not widely grown in cultivation, but is available from specialist native plant nurseries within New Zealand.[3] In addition there is one known cultivar, Metrosideros diffusa 'Crystal Showers' sold by Blue Mountain Nurseries in Tapanui.[4] This is a slow growing groundcover with white flowers but cream and green variegated foliage.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "III. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MAORI NAMES OF PLANTS". MANUAL OF THE NEW ZEALAND FLORA. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  2. ↑ Allan, H H (1961). Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I. Wellington: Government Printer.
  3. ↑ "Metrosideros diffusa". Oratia Native Plant Nursery. Oratia Native Plant Nursery. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Metrosideros diffusa Crystal Showers". Blue Mountain Nurseries. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
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