DSC_8385 Northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) extreme close-up of typically smallish flowers tightly bunched on a tree from north Westland *
11009-16906 Southern rata (Metrosideros umbellata) tree in full flower in summer, northern Westland *
DSC_0010 Bartlett's rata, or rata moehau (Metrosideros bartlettii) a large tree (25m) endemic to Cape Reinga, notable for its extreme rarity, its white flowers and pink-red stems. It was only discovered in 1975. Only 13 adult trees are now known to exist in the wild and most of these are ill or dying. Its natural range is in the far north at Te Paki, in three patches of dense native forest that escaped destruction by fire. Radar Bush, Te Paki *
