Ramarama

Lophomyrtus bullata

Ramarama Is endemic to New Zealand and growing throughout the country up to about 600m. They are much more common in the North island

Ramarama of the Tangihua forest are found…

On the road side in the Nature trail.

Ramarama Description.

Ramarama will grows to 8m trees. It is a bushy dense shrub.

Leaves

The leaves are oval shaped, thick, shiny and bubbled. Quite leathery they are up to 30mm long and 15mm wide

They vary in colour from dark green to yellow green. They can also appear spotted with red, maroon, or blackish marks.

Flowers and seeds

Ramarama flowers between November and March, and subsequently fruits from January through to June. The flowers are White or pale pink open cup-shaped flowers 12 mm across and are hermaphrodite ( both male and female)

The Ramarama berries are black, eaten and distributed by birds.

Forest Role

They grow in more open spaces and provide food for birds

Threats and conservation

Ramarama Status: 2018 – Threatened – Nationally Critical

This is because it is of the Myrtle family and Myrtle rust will have an unknown effect on these shrubs.

The Ramarama in the Tangihua ranges is considered important and DOC have selected them for the DNA collecting in case Myrtle rust devastates the species

Maori usage

The berries are edible and were added as flavoring to fern roots etc The Maori used a decoction which was of benefit in treating bruises.