White rata vine (Metrosideros perforate)
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Metrosideros
Species: M. perforata
Binomial name: Metrosideros perforate
Common names. Climbing white rata, Akatea
Metrosideros perforata is one of twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand.
Metrosideros perforata is a climber growing up 15 m highand can have a stem 15cm or more in diameter. It can be in a form of a bushy shrub when a tree is not available to climb.
The leathery green oval opposite leaves are 0.8–1.2 cm long, the leaves when young tend to lie in one plane and. The leaves have conspicuous oil glands on the underside. The young shoots are covered with soft matted hairs. The bark is reddish brown and stringy.
In mid summer it has masses of white flowers from white buds. The small white flowers are carried in small clusters and are very attractive to bees, butterflies, birds, geckos and at night time the white flowers attract many species of moths.
Metrosideros perforata is found in coastal to lowland forests and forest edges, North Island, South Island and Three Kings Island, New Zealand.
The information below of its use by Maori is from the website.
http://www.o2landscapes.com/pages/pp-metrosideros.php
Metrosideros perforata had a valuable practical purpose for Maori, as it was one of the primary species utilised for lashing (of weapons as well as palisades). The thin young stems were tied in a green state, when they were still pliable and subsequently dried to become very hard and rigid3. The large cables that form on very old rata vines were also used by Maori as a means of ascending cliffs - a practice that is adapted in the myth of Tawhaki, a warrior who ascended to the heavens on a giant 'aka' cable (to bring back his wife and child, in one telling).
Topside of the leaves
Underside of leaf showing oil glands
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