The Southern Rata and Pohutukawa are some of New Zealands most recognized and beloved trees. The oblong, leathery leaves are covered in dense white hairs underneath.[2]. This story first appeared in NZ Gardener. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. There is variation between individual trees in the timing of flowering, and in the shade and brightness of the flowers. Just to confuse the issue even further.! * Tree health can affect flower colour and bounty, particularly for container-grown plants, so keep them well-fed and watered. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The top is shining green, but the bottom is whitish and is covered in tiny hairs. The tree flowers from November to January with a peak in early summer (mid to late December), with brilliant crimson flowers covering the tree, hence the nickname New Zealand Christmas tree. Pohutukawa often features on festive greetings cards, poems and stories. The Southern rata will have a pointer shape, but its defining characteristic is that it is a waxy finish on both the top and bottom side of the leave. The leaves tend to be larger than on the ratas. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf is glossy on both sides. How do plants give off water in the water cycle? Often incorrectly sold as, Very bright flowers and spreading habit. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. How do you tell the difference between Rata and pohutukawa? New Zealands Christmas tree The blazing red flowers of phutukawa around Christmas time have earned this tree the title of New Zealands Christmas tree. The generic name Metrosideros derives from the Ancient Greek mtra or "heartwood" and sideron or "iron". The differences in flowering are due to the genetics of each individual plant, experts say. Pohutukawa in flower are a common sight around Christmas time in the North Island. What are the characteristics of a pohutukawa plant? Sourced from Kawaroa Park. We will discuss the differences below so that you can easily tell them apart. I had this problem the other day when I walked into the bush on Tinakori Hill during my lunch hour. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf is glossy on both sides. Pohutukawa leaves are generally larger and darker green than northern rata and can have slightly rolled edges. What is the difference between Rata and pohutukawa? Then there are only two pohutukawa species. The underside of a p hutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rt leaf is glossy on both sides. Phutukawa and rt belong to the genus Metrosideros. Sourced from. 3 What is the English name for pohutukawa? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. With annual trimming they can even be restrained in a . However, because they respond well to pruning and trimming, pohutukawa are easily adapted to small spaces. Cover and contain clothes in plastic if moving them between the site and laundry. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Pohutukawa, with its striking red flowers, is an important symbol for all New Zealanders. It is best to attempt to transplant in winter. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Having similar names does not help the case much and they are both frontier / regenerative trees. You have heard of rata and obviously pohutukawa, but whats the actual difference between these trees? The tips even have a bit of a notch as you can see in this photo. Did Tish and Billy Ray get back together? Its hard strong timber was used for ship-building, and parts of the tree were also used medicinally by the Maori. It is considered that large roots, up to 80mm in diameter, will require severance for these works. [8] It also occurs naturally on the shores of lakes in the Rotorua area and in Abel Tasman National Park at the top of South Island. The Sourthern rata is considered to be an ancient species, from which the Northern rata and pohutukawa have evolved. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf . The Southern rata is beilived to be the oldest species, and the Northern rata & pohutukawa are variations from this. 'Te H' is the largest urban specimen in the country. If the plant is . Adult pohutukawa leaf miner can cause large amounts of damage to young leaves of some pohutukawa trees in gardens and parks. The leaves tend to be larger than on the ratas. Adult rata grow into tall trees with single trunks covered in epiphytes, whose first branches start well off the ground. In the same genus are several species of rata, both trees and climbers. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The pohutukawa tends to flower around December and has the nickname of New Zealands Christmas tree. World Famous in New Zealand However, it is also a fantastic tree for forest regeneration. Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as phutukawa (Mori: phutukawa), New Zealand Christmas tree, New Zealand Christmas tree, and iron tree, is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of red (or occasionally orange, yellow or white) flowers, each consisting of a mass of stamens.The phutukawa is one of twelve Metrosideros species . How to Market Your Business with Webinars. In isolated populations genetic drift has resulted in local variation: many of the trees growing around the Rotorua lakes produce pink-shaded flowers, and the yellow-flowered cultivar 'Aurea' descends from a pair discovered in 1940 on Mtt Island in the Bay of Plenty. Pohutukawa is a coastal tree that can be found in the wild only on the North Island. 'It's like a vendetta': Neighbours at war over troublesome trees, Woman killed in Northland crash was five times over the legal limit, not wearing seatbelt, Live: Heavy rain, gales as subtropical low moves south, We thought our experience in Australia would help us in NZ. Differences aside, these two trees have a significant history. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Geoff thinks landowners and not just those on the coast have missed a trick by not using pohutukawa for erosion control. Pohutukawa tends also to have more stamens and as a result denser and more prolific flowers. There is something truly magical about seeing them in full yellow bloom surrounding peaceful spaces throughout New Zealand. To care for your pohutukawa feed it with Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic which will improve the trees overall health and gives frost protection up to about minus 5C. Small upright tree with compact flower heads. There are many characteristics of plants that makes them endlessly fascinating. There are several different ways to distinguish between a pohutukawa and a rata tree. The pohutukawa grows up to 25 metres (82 ft) high, with a spreading, dome-like form. Each of these three grow quite large, but there are differences that can be noted. The blazing red flowers of phutukawa around Christmas time have earned this tree the title of New Zealands Christmas tree. Phutukawa and rt hold a prominent place in Maori mythology. Renowned for its vibrant colour and its ability to survive even perched on rocky, precarious cliffs, it has found an important place in New Zealand culture for its strength and beauty, and is regarded as a chiefly tree (rkau rangatira) by Mori.[8]. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Red flowers in large spiky balls in early summer. * Pohutukawa and rata make excellent hedges if you get the pruning right you will be rewarded with a band of colour. The Manuka is lovely in flower, 14 Harvey Road, Marahau, Tasman, 7197, New Zealand. Can you bonsai a pohutukawa tree? One is to look at the leaves. (noun) phutukawa, New Zealand Christmas tree, Metrosideros excelsa, Metrosideros kermadecensis, Metrosideros bartlettii trees found in coastal areas which bear large, red flowers about Christmas time and have leaves which are velvety-white underneath. The vibrant and multi purpose Kowhai tree is a national treasure of New Zealand. The northern often starts life as a vine, and can grow taller (25m vs 15m) than the southern, which tolerates cooler temperatures. * Pohutukawa roots won't invade intact pipes. P hutukawa leaves are generally larger and darker green than northern rt and can have slightly rolled edges. Its closest equivalent in other Polynesian languages is the Cook Island Mori word po'utukava, referring to a coastal shrub with white berries, Sophora tomentosa. Kanuka grows prolifically throughout both islands of Aotearoa New Zealand and is being recognised more for its medicinal and environmental uses. Sourced from. 10 tips for attracting native birds to your garden. He subsequently fell to earth and the crimson flowers are said to represent his blood. Pohutukawa is a latitude 38 tree (like kauri and mangrove) that naturally only occurs north of Kawhia and Gisborne. The vibrant and multi purpose Kowhai tree is a national treasure of New Zealand. It does not store any personal data. What is the scientific name for pohutukawa? What kind of bug eats leaves of pohutukawa? How tall does a pohutukawa fish poison tree grow? In Maori mythology, its flowers are said to represent the blood of a young warrior who perished while trying to avenge his fathers death. As for which would win, Rata need a base tree to grow on, Pohutukawa can grow on their own = Pohutukawa win. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Now finally I can identify the "Southern Rata" in front of my house. Vibrant flowers and glossy green leaves. Pohutukawa leaves can be from 3 10 cm long by 1.5 5 cm wide. If your garden does not have a permanent source of water it is a good idea to provide a bird bath that is cleaned and fresh water added regularly. If they have established from the ground the trunks are usually much shorter. A karo (right) and a phutukawa (left) with a few blooms left if you squint, Houghton Bay Road, Wellington. * Non-native pohutukawa will flower off and on through the year. Cultivars include:[6]. Is the pohutukawa tree endemic to New Zealand? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Feed the tree with sheep pellets in spring and late summer and make sure it is watered regularly. Pollen is highly viable (93.6%), and stigma recep- tivity extends for at least 9 days, as indicated by peroxidase activity, pollen germination, pollen tube length 24 h after pollination, and seed set. Thus, where you see the tree will give you a hint as to which type of tree grows there. Think of them being like cousins, perhaps. The Southern rata can grow almost to the top of New Zealand, but prefers the South and has a strong presence on the West Coast. The next thing that happens is the cliff collapses.". Pohutukawa leaves are generally larger and darker green than northern rata and can have slightly rolled edges. If this is of concern, plant selections that are less susceptible to damage by the weevil should be grown. Follow this link if you suspect you have found Myrtle Rust. What is the difference between a rata tree and a pohutukawa tree? What is the difference between Rata and pohutukawa? In Maori mythology, its flowers are said to represent the blood of a young warrior who perished while trying to avenge his fathers death. What is the difference between pohutukawa and rata? Most of the time, this is a Rimu tree. Given the Southern rata is the more prolific we will focus on this for a comparison with the Mainland pohutukawa. Northern rata leaves may also have a small notch in the tip. grey, 'fuzzy' spore growth on undersides of leaves. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What is the difference between pohutukawa and rata? Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as phutukawa (Mori: phutukawa), New Zealand Christmas tree, New Zealand Christmas bush, and iron tree, is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of red (or occasionally orange, yellow or white) flowers, each consisting of a . The characteristics make a huge difference in your garden plant choice. Firstly cut around the root ball trench around the outside to the shape of the crown, then water the tree. What is the difference between pohutukawa and ratas? Growing a Kowhai also helps to support the native bird pollution by increasing their food sources. This iconic Kiwi Christmas tree, which often features on greeting cards and in poems and songs, has become an important symbol for New Zealanders at home and abroad. The leaves are opposite (they grow in pairs), 5-10 cm long, with a dense covering of white hairs below. Like many New Zealand trees, pohutukawa often flowers profusely in one year and less obviously in the next. Few gardens have the space for a huge pohutukawa tree and their vigorous roots mean its important not to plant too close to buildings. and I wondered if you could tell me when you took your photo of rata flowering at Tinakori Hill please?Many thanks - Sarah Richardson, Landcare Research, Lincoln. The Maori made some use of the wood of pohutukawa; mainly for small implements, paddles and mauls. Notice that I say in the wild because these have been planted in many other areas outside the normal range and now can be seen in many cities and towns. The rata (also called northern rata) is a common tree that grows throughout the North Island and the top of the South Island (mainly along the west coast down to Greymouth). Native grasses, Eucalyptus, Acacias, Hakeas, Casuarinas and Banksias produce the seed that will attract seed eating birds into your garden. The Pohutukawa has a more rounded leaf, having a velvety white underside of the leaf. Kanuka is at the frontier of native regeneration and even acts as a nursery for other trees and, The Strong Tree Ake ake (Dodonaviea scosa) is an attractive and fast-growing shrub or small tree, with particularly hard wood that is prized by Maori for making taiaha and other weapons and tools. The southern rata grows across the North Island (although it is rare) and is common on the west coast of the South Island. There are several different ways to distinguish between a pohutukawa and a rata tree. The Spanish city of A Corua has adopted the phutukawa as a floral emblem. What percentage of offspring would be expected to have short whiskers? Phutukawa and rt belong to the genus Metrosideros. Ake ake is native to New Zealand, however is also found throughout the world. A self-employed parks and recreation consultant based at Omokoroa near Tauranga, Geoff knew from the age of 13 that he wanted to be a parks officer after meeting one at his school science fair an ambition he achieved with Tauranga City Council after working his way up from "tools". Pohutukawa tends also to have more stamens and as a result denser and more prolific flowers. Phutukawa wood is dense, strong and highly figured. It grows even in the far-flung outcrops such as Auckland Island. Learning about the characteristics of different plants will help you to identify them correctly. There are several different ways to distinguish between a pohutukawa and a rata tree. Many thanks - this is really helpful. In the same genus are several species of rata, both trees and climbers. This can avoid the tree performing poorly or causing problems later. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It has also naturalised on Norfolk Island to the north. The edges of the leaves may also be slightly rolled up. The adult tree that starts as an epiphyte will have a very large trunk that has a hollow area at its centre. It is nice and thick to the ground, as it grows from the base as well.. The leaves are opposite (they grow in pairs), 5-10 cm long, with a dense covering of white hairs below. Another easy way to spot the difference is that the Pohutukawa leaves will have a whitish velvety texture from its fine white hairs underneath the leaves. There are two native phutukawa (mainland and Kermadec) and six species of rata vine, a shrub and three tree rt. Guide to Building a Profitable eCommerce Website, Self-Hosted LMS or Cloud LMS We Help You Make the Right Decision, ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BANJO TUNING FOR BEGINNERS. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The path was steep, never came close to the trunks of the red flowering trees and in my work trousers I didnt fancy getting too wild. This will be the easiest way to tell them apart, as they are both medium to slow growers, flower around the same time of year and look somewhat similar at a distance. The pohutukawa tree (Metrosideros excelsa) with its crimson flower has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Its one of the first trees to re-establish itself in deforested areas, with its taller cousin Kanuka usually establishing itself under the protective Manuka canopy before poking through and establishing a new forest height. Sourced from public gardens in, Variegated leaves. 1 : a New Zealand tree (Metrosideros tomentosa) with crimson flowers and silvery leaves below. In coastal California, it is a popular street and lawn tree, but has caused concern in San Francisco where its root systems are blamed for destroying sewer lines and sidewalks. The rata does not just go up, it goes along in every which way It is of course the rata that is to the South Island what the pohutakawa is to the North Island, though we do have the northern rata as well. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf is glossy on both sides. Both are thought to live for at least. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Pohutukawa leaves are generally larger and darker green than northern rata and can have slightly rolled edges. * Pohutukawa and rata make excellent hedges - if you get the. * Trim immediately after flowering - it will bring the tree back to flower faster as energy is not diverted to seed production. Leave it for two or three months. World Famous in New Zealand However, it is also a fantastic tree for forest regeneration. Phutukawa and rt are known as New Zealands native Christmas tree because of the bright red blooms which decorate the trees during the Christmas season. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf is glossy on both sides. Their trunks and branches are sometimes festooned with matted, fibrous aerial roots. Sourced from. There are several different ways to distinguish between a p hutukawa and a rt tree. Suitable for containers & patios. But collecting seed isn't much fun. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 20m high The pohutukawa prefers the upper North Island in warm, dry areas close to the sea, although they can be found sporadically and artificially in the northern South Island. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [17] Extracts are used in traditional Mori healing for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, sore throat and wounds. 1 How do you tell the difference between Rata and pohutukawa? The Southern rata will have darker and pointed leaves, that are glossy on both sides. [9] The -hutu- part of the word comes from *futu, the Polynesian name for the fish-poison tree (Barringtonia asiatica; compare with Fijian: vutu and Tongan: futu),[10][11][12] which has flowers similar to those of the phutukawa. The cuttings should be taken in the spring using the following steps: Take semi-hard cuttings. Trim immediately after flowering it will bring the tree back to flower faster as energy is not diverted to seed production. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. They start as a seed germinating on the ground and grow up into a very large, spreading, multi-trunk tree with a large canopy. These 3 tips will help you identify and tell apart rata or pohutukawa trees like a local. Pohutukawa safe from 'eco-Nazis'. Vigorous and easy to grow, the tree flourishes well south of its natural range, and has naturalised in the Wellington area and in the north of the South Island. New Zealand Christmas tree These are all the same family (so all metrosideros) but different species. There are many characteristics of Pohutukawa. The trunk can also become very broad with a diameter up to 1.8 m. Rata begin life in one of two ways either as an epiphyte which sends shoots down to the ground and gradually encloses and kills off its host tree or from the ground up like most trees.