Class
Family
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Metrosideros albiflora Sol. ex Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 172, t. 34, f. 11 (1788)
Synonymy:
- = Metrosideros diffusa A.Cunn., Ann. Nat. Hist. 3: 114 (1839) nom. illeg., non Metrosideros diffusa (G.Forst.) Sm. 1797
Vernacular Name(s):
Aka; Akatea; Large white rata
Description
Liane up to 10 m. or more tall; branchlets terete, often drooping. Lvs on stout petioles 2–4 mm. long; lamina coriac., glab., elliptic-ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, rather abruptly narrowed to acute or subacute apex, 35–90 × 20–35 mm. Infl. of large terminal compound cymes with ∞ fls. Receptacle urceolate to funnelform, 8 × 5 mm., exceeding ovary; sepals ovate, obtuse, reflexed, ± 2 mm. long; petals white, suborbicular, ± 5 × 5 mm., ± pubescent; stamens whitish, 15–25 mm. long. Ovary adnate to receptacle; capsule urceolate ± 6–9 mm. diam.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
Phenology
Flowering: Dec.–Mar.; Fruiting: Jan.–Apr.
Bibliography
Cunningham, A. 1839: Florae insularum Novae Zelandiae precursor; or a specimen of the botany of the islands of New Zealand. Annals of Natural History 3: 111–115.
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]
Gaertner, J. 1788: De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum. Vol. 1. Stuttgart.
