Benutzer:Kahuroa/temp

Systematik

Southern rātā (Metrosideros umbellata), a tree endemic to New Zealand, is one of the best-known trees of New Zealand. It produces masses of brilliant red flowers in December and January. Along with other member of the Metrosideros genus, including Northern rātā and Pōhutukawa, it is seriously threatened by the browsing of the introduced common brushtail possum, an Australian marsupial herbivore.

Habit

Southern rātā is an evergreen tree up to 15 m. or more tall with a trunk up to 1 m. or more in diameter. It also produces aerial roots which may add to the diameter. The bark is 2 to 3 mm thick, and the outer layers are papery

whose outer layers in papierartigen scrap drops. Der Habitus kann je nach Standort jedoch auch stark von diesem Erscheinungsbild abweichen. The habit may vary by location but also greatly from this appearance vary. Während größtenteils freistehende Bäume eine runde Baumform einnehmen, bilden vor allem Bäume in dichter besiedelten Lebensräumen eine schirmförmige Krone aus. While largely a round freestanding trees take tree form, are especially dense trees in populated habitats schirmförmige a crown. An bewachsenen Ufern wachsen Südinsel-Eisenholz-Bäume oft mit einem fast waagerechten Stamm, um unter den Kronen anderer Bäume hervorzuwachsen. An covered shores grow South Island ironwood trees often with an almost horizontal trunk, among the other trees hervorzuwachsen crowns. Teilweise sind Pflanzen auf extrem steinigen Untergrund nur strauchartig ausgebildet und schon in einer Größe von 15 bis 25 cm blühfähig. Some of these plants on extremely rocky ground only strauchartig trained and in a size 15 to 25 cm blühfähig. Gelegentlich werden auch epiphytisch lebende Exemplare in den Kronen von Libocedrus bidwilii und seltener von Podocarpus hallii oder Dacrydium cupressinum gefunden. Occasionally, also epiphytisch live specimens in the crowns of Libocedrus bidwilii and less of Podocarpus hallii or Dacrydium cupressinum found. Diese Bäume sind oberhalb des ursprünglichen Aufsatzpunktes stark verzweigt; die nach unten wachsenden Wurzeln umhüllen den Wirt zunehmend, teilweise soweit, dass er abstirbt. [1] These trees are above the original essay point strongly branched; down the growing roots envelop the economy growing, partly extent that he abstirbt [1].

Distribution

Southern rātā growing at its southern limits in the Auckland Islands at 50°S

It prefers cooler regions with high rainfall and is particularly common along the west coast of the South Island where its nectar is the main source of a locally-produced rātā honey. Southern rāta is the most widespread of the New Zealand tree rātā species. It is locally present in the North Island from lat. 36° southwards, is more common in western parts of the South Island but absent from much of the east, and is common on Stewart Island (47ºS) and in the Auckland Islands where it reaches its southern limit at just over 50°S.

Description

The flowers of Southern rātā are scarlet, with stamens about 2 cm long. White or yellow flowers are also known. Flowering usually occurs between December and February, but this depends on local conditions. Leaves are from 3 to 6cm long, and are sharply pointed. The wood is hard, dense, and very strong. The bark is rough and flaky and provides an ideal stratum for the roots of epiphytic plants such as Astelia species and Freycinetia banksii (Kiekie). Southern rātā is a major source of honey on the West Coast of the South Island. Kākā, tui, and bellbirds visit rātā to take advantage of the abundant nectar. Unlike its relative, Northern rātā, this species rarely grows as an epiphyte.

Conservation

Although Southern rātā is not regarded as threatened, it is rather uncommon in the North Island, and in certain areas it is threatened by possum browse. In the Tararua range, Southern rātā populations appear to have been replaced by a population consisting of hybrids between Northern and Southern rātā.

Cultivation

Southern rātā is a beautiful specimen tree, but growth can be slow unless it is grown in ideal conditions with moist soil. It is easily grown from fresh seed. While it is possible to grow the tree from soft-wood or semi-hardwood cuttings, these often prove reluctant to strike roots.

See also

• Northern rātā
• Bartlett's rātā
• Pōhutukawa
• Scarlet rātā vine

External links

• Project Crimson

References

• Metrosideros umbellata. In: Flora of New Zealand. Abgerufen am 9. Juni 2007. 
• Metrosideros umbellata. In: New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Abgerufen am 9. Juni 2007. 
• Southern Rata Fact Sheet. In: Project Crimson. Abgerufen am 9. Juni 2007. 

• Salmon, J.T., 1986. The Native Trees of New Zealand. Wellington: Heinneman Reed.
• Simpson, P., 2005. Pōhutukawa & Rātā: New Zealand's Iron-Hearted Trees. Wellington: Te Papa Press.

{{Commons|Metrosideros umbellata}} [[Category:Metrosideros]] [[Category:Trees of New Zealand]] [[Category:Trees of mild maritime climate]] [[Category:Ornamental trees]] [[Category:Wood]] [[Category:Plants and pollinators]] {{Tree-stub}}

de:Südinsel-Eisenholz