Scarlet Rata Vine

Metrosideros fulgens

Climbing Rata, Akatea, Scarlet rata vine, Red Rata Vine, sometimes confused with Crimson Rata.

Endemic to New Zealand and grows through out the North island and the west coat of the south Island

The Scarlet vine Rata of the Tangihua forest are found…

Scarlet Rata vines are found along the lodge road, one directly opposite the nature trail. They are also all along the nature trail.

Scarlet Rata Description.

Pictures:

The Scarlet Rata photos are of a specimen on the opposite side of the road to the entrance to the Tangihua Nature walk. The vines can be seen running down the tree trunk.

Scarlet rata belongs to the Myrtle family which includes all other Ratas, Pohutukawa, Manuka, kanuka and swamp maire.

Scarlet rata a forest liane or vine grow up to 10m long with a main stem up to 10cm centimetres in diameter. Only the mature vines have flowers.

The vine climbs by sending out short adventitious roots to adhere to the trunks of host trees, penetrating and clinging to rough surfaces.

The climbing shoots of juvenile plants grow rapidly and quickly extend the length of the plant. The short clinging roots usually die after about a year, so that when the vine is mature, the thick, twisted, rope-like stems hang free from the host like thick ropes.

Flowers and seeds

Scarlet rata flowers from autumn to spring, these photos were taken mid May. The vine has vibrant displays of bright red flowers in groups at the ends of the stems.

The seeds are small and wind-dispersed.

Forest Role

The Scarlet rata vine flowers provide nectar for Tui, bell birds Stitch birds, Kaka, bees and short tailed bats

A sooty mold often covers the bark where scale insects have deposited honey dew.

Threats and conservation status

2018 – Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable

The fungal disease myrtle rust

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

The vines were used to tie up structures such as fences platforms and house frames.

Medicine.

• The sap was used on wounds, for coughs and eye problems.
• The bark was used to help treat diarrhea.
• The inner bark was used for healing sores and to stop bleeding.
• The nectar can be sucked out from he flowers.

for more about Rata and Rata differences in Northland see Rata