027 550 0611Metrosideros perforata Akatea
White rata vines are found in most low land forests from Northland down to about Christchurch and on the west coast.
We have three Rata in the forest, Northern Rata, Crimson Rata and White Rata. To compare them scroll down
White Rata is found in the Tangihua forest
Rata vines are found along the lodge road, and along the nature trail.
White Rata Description.
White Rata germinate on the ground and climb trees. They have fine clasping roots which cling to trees as they climb to reach the forest canopy. Once they reach the canopy they then branch out becoming bushy. The trunk thickens and the roots break away from the tree and the vine can hang off the tree. The vine can get to 15cm or more through.
White Rata can be in a form of a bushy shrub when a tree is not available to climb
The leaves are 8-12 mm long, opposite each other with obvious dots on the underside. These dots are oil glands
Flowers and seeds
White rata flowers late late summer. The flowers are white and fluffy looking hence the name
They are attractive to bees, butterflies, birds, geckos and at night time the white flowers attract many species of moths.
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
