How do you tell the difference between Rata and pohutukawa?

How do you tell the difference between Rata and pohutukawa?

Pohutukawa leaves are generally larger and darker green than northern rata and can have slightly rolled edges. The underside of a pohutukawa leave has fine white hairs whereas the northern rata leaf is glossy on both sides. Northern rata leaves may also have a small notch in the tip.

Are there different types of pohutukawa?

There are two native pōhutukawa (mainland and Kermadec) and six species of rata vine, a shrub and three tree rātā. Project Crimson concentrates on the mainland pōhutukawa and the tree rātā – northern, southern and Bartlett’s – as these are the most threatened by possums and people.

What does a pohutukawa flower look like?

Red flowers in large spiky balls in early summer. The leaves are opposite (they grow in pairs), 5-10 cm long, with a dense covering of white hairs below.

Are pohutukawa poisonous?

They are rapid shade producers, so excellent for providing shade for other trees to grow under. Maori people are reported to have eaten ngaio fruit, but the leaves and fruit are actually poisonous, containing a liver toxin, with the leaves being the most toxic.

Are pohutukawa and feijoa related?

Heads in the clouds. The pohutukawa is a member of the huge myrtle family, which includes among its 3000 species eucalypts, guavas, feijoas, bottlebrushes, manuka, kanuka and swamp maire. In the same genus are several species of rata, both trees and climbers.

What is the national tree of NZ?

Often referred to by its Māori name, ponga, the silver fern has been used to represent New Zealand since the 1880s. Evergreen tree, producing bright yellow flowers in spring.

What is the English name for pohutukawa?

New Zealand Christmas tree
Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as pōhutukawa (Māori: pōhutukawa), 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 …

What does a pohutukawa symbolize?

Pohutukawa, with its striking red flowers, is an important symbol for all New Zealanders. In Maori mythology, its flowers are said to represent the blood of a young warrior who perished while trying to avenge his father’s death.

How do you identify pohutukawa?

Pohutukawa leaves can be from 3 – 10 cm long by 1.5 – 5 cm wide. The leaves tend to be larger than on the ratas. The most distinguishing characteristic is that the leaves have a white fuzzy underside. The top is shining green, but the bottom is whitish and is covered in tiny hairs.

What are pohutukawa flowers called?

Metrosideros excelsa

Does NZ have poison ivy?

Fortunately they rarely grow in New Zealand, eg. poison ivy (T. radicans), from North America and Chinese lacquer tree (T. in many parts of New Zealand staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is commonly grown.

What does pohutukawa smell like?

A. R. D. Fairburn, in Memories of England, drew his image by negative definition: “No dragon’s blood breaking in crimson flowers,” and Peter Bland in Letters Home: I remember once she said—Our pohutukawa blossoms have the scent of salt and oranges.

What does a pohutukawa tree look like?

The Pohutukawa leaves have a waxy coating that protect them from the salt. In December to January this tree flowers. The whole tree may appear to be covered in clusters of red flowers.

What does pohutukawa stand for?

Pohutukawa trees. The pohutukawa tree ( Metrosideros excelsa) with its crimson flower has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition. 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. In 1833…

What is the difference between pohutukawa and ratas?

Pohutukawa leaves can be from 3 – 10 cm long by 1.5 – 5 cm wide. The leaves tend to be larger than on the ratas. The most distinguishing characteristic is that the leaves have a white fuzzy underside. The top is shining green, but the bottom is whitish and is covered in tiny hairs. Those hairs protects the leaves from the salt of the ocean.

Where do pohutukawas grow in NZ?

They naturally occur south to the Taranaki area on the west coast and Gisborne area on the east coast. Pohutukawas are similar looking to northern rata trees. Further confusing these two is the fact that both of them have bright red clusters of flowers that look nearly identical. One good way to tell them apart is to look at the leaves.