Climbing rata

Scientific name: Metrosideros fulgens
Maori name: Aka, Akakura, Akatawhiwhi, Pua-tawhiwhi
Other names: Scarlet rata vine

Vine or creeper - native to the Wellington Region
Suits: damp, partial shade, sunny, shelter, coastal forest garden, small garden or balcony

About Climbing rata

Climbing plants such as the noble climbing rata creates a forest feeling. A scrambling and clinging habit with adult forming a small shrub. When flowering it displays bright vivid orange to red flowers and has the longest flowering period of any of our climbing rata species. Flowering usually occurs from summer to mid winter, producing nectar for native wildlife long after other species have finished flowering.

Leaves has a distinctive pale green colour and sometimes large, up to 6 cm long shiny leaves. prefers warm moist location and grows up to 10m long or more reaching the canopy or tall trees for support. It sending out short roots to stick to to the trunks of host trees. When the plant reach a mature stage, the thick, twisted stems hang freely from the support tree like thick, sometimes twisted ropes. In its more juvenile stage it grows and forms an leaf mosaic look on a tree trunk.

Most climbing rata on the markets have been grown from cuttings from adult plants, to ensure the plants to be grown as a shrub. If plant is to be grown as its natural climbing habit seed grown material is to be favoured..

Provides for birds