Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Myrtaceae
Genus
Metrosideros Banks ex Gaertn.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Metrosideros fulgens Sol. ex Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 172, t. 34, f. 7 (1788)
Synonymy:
  • = Leptospermum scandens J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl., ed. 2. 72, t. 36 (1776)
  • ≡ Metrosideros scandens (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Druce, Bot. Soc. Exch. Club Brit. Isles 4 Suppl.: 635 (1917)
  • = Melaleuca florida G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 37 (1786)
  • = Metrosideros florida Sm., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 3: 269 (1797)
Vernacular Name(s):
Aka; Akakura; akatawhitawhi; Akatawhiwhi; Amaru; Kahika; Kāhikahika; Rātā; Rātāpiki; Scarlet rata; Vine rata
 Description

Liane up to 10 m. long or more, with main stem up to 10 cm. or more diam.; bark separating in flakes. Lvs on stout petioles c. 2–5 mm. long; lamina coriac., 35–60–(75) × (10)–25 mm., about elliptic-oblong, obtuse, glab. Infl. of terminal cymes; receptacles obconic to urceolate, glab., ± 12 mm. long, ribbed. Sepals oblong, obtuse; petals suborbicular, us. orange-red; stamens ± scarlet, 20–25 mm. long. Ovary adnate to receptacle and much exceeded by it. Capsule deeply immersed, ± 10 × 10 mm., dehiscing irregularly.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1 as Metrosideros scandens (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Druce]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Nationally Vulnerable]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Druce, G. C. 1917 ("1916"): Nomenclatural Notes: Chiefly African and Australian. Report / Botanical Society and Exchange Club of the British Isles for 1916, 4 Suppl.: 601–653.
Forster, J.G.A. 1786: Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus. Dietrich, Göttingen.
Forster, J.R.; Forster, G. 1776: Characteres Generum Plantarum quas in Itinere ad Insulas Maris Australis Collegerunt, Descripserunt, Delinearunt, Annis. Edition 2. White, Cadell & Elmsley, London.
Gaertner, J. 1788: De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum. Vol. 1. Stuttgart.
Smith, J. E. 1793: Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 3