They are each a species within the same genus, so they are very similar and can be hard to tell apart. Its worth noting some of the interesting characteristics of the Northern rata. Note that the southern rata has dark green pointed leaves and that pohutukawa has shorter rounded leaves that have a whitish velvety texture on the underside. It is very closely related to its northern cousin the Pohutukawa. Pohutukawas grow to be very large trees. Grew from. Native grasses, Eucalyptus, Acacias, Hakeas, Casuarinas and Banksias produce the seed that will attract seed eating birds into your garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQv9O82PnI. Once established is very tolerant to strong winds, poor soils, droughts, waterlogging, and more acidic places than Kanuka. The same issue drove me crazy since I came to NZ 2 years ago. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Banksia. Copyright 2023 Stwnews.org | All rights reserved. Like its Hawaiian relative the hia lehua (M.polymorpha), phutukawa have shown to be efficient in the colonisation of lava plains notably on Rangitoto, a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf. Pohutukawa leaves are generally larger and darker green than northern rata and can have slightly rolled edges . Northern rata leaves also has a small notch in the tip. It has also naturalised on Norfolk Island to the north. Reverse-variegated cultivar, erect growth habit. Legends tell of the young Maori warrior, Tawhaki and his attempt to find help in heaven to avenge his fathers death. "Pohutukawa are amazing," Geoff says. In the same genus are several species of rata, both trees and climbers. 'Te H' is the largest urban specimen in the country. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf is glossy on both sides. However, because they respond well to pruning and trimming, pohutukawa are easily adapted to small spaces. The natural range of pohutukawa is from New Plymouth and Gisborne northwards. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As well as the red Metrosideros excelsa, seen on our Christmas cards, Geoff also has the yellow-flowered Metrosideros excelsa 'Aurea', native to Motiti Island offshore from Tauranga, and a natural pohutukawa-northern rata hybrid, which starts life as a tree not a vine, from Lake Tarawera one of the few parts of New Zealand where they grow inland. Its one of the first trees to re-establish itself in deforested areas, with its taller cousin Kanuka usually establishing itself under the protective Manuka canopy before poking through and establishing a new forest height. "From one batch of seed you get enormous variation: leaf colour, intensity of flower colour, bounty of flowers, flowering time, tendency to multi-trunk, whether it will weep everything.". The pohutukawa is a member of the huge myrtle family, which includes among its 3000 species eucalypts, guavas, feijoas, bottlebrushes, manuka, kanuka and swamp maire. Evergreen tree, producing bright yellow flowers in spring. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There are two easy ways to identify them. These are all the same family (so all metrosideros) but different species. Having similar names does not help the case much and they are both frontier / regenerative trees. It can be found throughout the North, South and Stewart Island in altitudes up to 1800m. Possums have shown particular interest in causing damage throughout the country stripping these old trees back to the point of death. There are two native phutukawa (mainland and Kermadec) and six species of rata vine, a shrub and three tree rt. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
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