Metrosideros umbellata
Southern Rata
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Metrosideros genus in the family Myrtaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Genus
- Metrosideros
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 15 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be used as a hedge, succeeding in exposed maritime positions[2][4]. Wood - compact, tough, very strong. Used for ship-making, carpentry etc[6][7].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Lowland to montane, occasionally sub-alpine forests and shrubland, southwards from latitude 36°s, North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a well-drained but moisture-retentive lime-free soil in a sunny position[3][4]. Plants are somewhat lime-tolerant but are unsuitable for shallow soils over chalk[4]. Very resistant to maritime exposure[2]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, succeeding outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country where it makes a small shrub[1][3][4]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202