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Metrosideros diffusa, Akakura White Rata vine
White rata vines are found in most low land forests from Northland down to about Christchurch and on the west coast.
White Rata is found in the Tangihua forest
Rata vines are found along the lodge road, and along the nature trail.
White Rata 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.
The branched tends to be more spread out than other rata vines
White rātā is the most common climbing rātā in the wild, found naturally in lowland forests throughout New Zealand
Flowers and seeds
Flowering is from mid-spring to early summer, with white or pale pink flowers.
The seeds are wind blown
Forest Role
They are attractive to bees, butterflies, birds, geckos and at night time the white flowers attract many species of moths
Threats and conservation
The fungal disease myrtle rust
This as of May 2017 has been found in NZ and posses a threat to all myrtle including Rata’s. There was no known method of controlling the disease in the wild, apart from application of fungicide in very small areas as a last resort. Even if it was eradicated, it could always arrive again from Australia.
Browsing by possums and goats
Pest control
Maori usage
White Rata vines were used for lashing weapons and palisades. The thin young stems were tied in a green state, when they were still pliable and subsequently dried to become very hard and rigid.
Medicine.
It was used it as an anti septic and to stop bleeding. it has been recently discovered that leaves and bark have anti bacterial properties effective against super bugs
