Scinames:
Metrosideros collina
Metrosideros collina
Cook Islands Status Summary
Show Notes
Intl. NamesPolynesian MetrosiderosEN
Local NamesRataRR
Pacific NamesLatoFIJ RataAUS RataTAH RataNZ
Sci. NamesMetrosideros collina (accepted name)
, Leptospermum collinum, Metrosideros collina var. collina, Metrosideros collina subsp. polymorpha, Metrosideros polymorpha, Metrosideros villosa
High Tax. Eng.Vascular Plant, Flowering Plant, Dicot, a tree,
High Tax. Latink.PLANTAE, p.ANTHOPHYTA, c.MAGNOLIOPSIDA, sc.ROSIDAE, o.Myrtales, f.MYRTACEAE
Natl. PresencePresent
Sth. PresenceRR++++MG-AT-MK-MT-AK-PL-MN-TK-
Nth. PresenceTN-MH-RK-PK-NS-SW-
VouchersNo Content
Local OriginNative; Resident; Endemic of Polynesia
Global RangeNative: Southeast Polynesia (Rarotonga - Australs - Societies);
HabitatLand - Uplands - Slope Zone, Cloud Zone
ThreatenedNo Content
InvasivenessNo Content
BiosecurityNo Content
Medical StatusNo Content
Harmful StatusNo Content
UsesNo Content
IdentificationBushy shrub or gnarled tree to 8m. LEAVES in terminal clusters, opposite with adjacent pairs at right angles (=decussate), oval to 6x3cm, thick and leathery, edge smooth, tip obtuse, base obtuse; stalk to 4mm. FLOWERS terminal clusters, c.25, in 1-3more... per stalk; petals 5, red, small, 2x3mm(WxL); stamens c.30, long to 15mm, crimson; style undivided, 15mm long. FRUIT 5mmØ, ripens grey, with 3 seeds.
Similar SpeciesNo Content
Interest NoteA widespread and variable genus that has been the subject ofmore... much confusion at the species and subspecies level. The Fiji flora of 1985 has three subspecies of Metrosideros collina distributed from Vanuatu to the Societies, while the Hawaiian flora of 1990 lists five endemic species of which one, M. polymorpha has eight subspecies. Genetic analysis of Metrosideros in 2000 cast a new light on the genus. It suggested that the tropical Pacific species arose as a result of at least three separate colonisation events from New Zealand species.
It showed that the five species of Hawaii, along with those of Tahiti, Rarotonga and Kermadecs are all nearly identical with NZ's M. excelsa (Pohutukawa); and that they colonised in one or more events in relatively recent times, possibly during the various Ice Ages when strong westerly winds prevailed carrying wind-borne seeds into eastern Polynesia. They also suggested that the M. collina of Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa had a different and earlier origin than the collina of Eastern Polynesia.
It showed that the five species of Hawaii, along with those of Tahiti, Rarotonga and Kermadecs are all nearly identical with NZ's M. excelsa (Pohutukawa); and that they colonised in one or more events in relatively recent times, possibly during the various Ice Ages when strong westerly winds prevailed carrying wind-borne seeds into eastern Polynesia. They also suggested that the M. collina of Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa had a different and earlier origin than the collina of Eastern Polynesia.
Show All Notes
Multimedia & Other Resources
Click on a thumbnail to see the full image and image details.
Vernacular Names
no data available
Threatened
no data available
Invasive/Pest Status
no data available
Biosecurity
no data available
Species Uses
Citation Information
McCormack, Gerald (2024) Cook Islands Biodiversity & Ethnobiology Database, Version 2024.11.27 - Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Online at https://naturalheritage.gov.ck/cibed
Please refer to our use policy.
Saved Species
X of 20
- Save Species