METROSIDEROS LUCIDA, Menzies. 
THE SOUTHERN RATA. 
OrbDER—MYRTACE. 
(Plate LVIII.) 
THE name rata is applied by the Maoris alike to the present species, which is 
most abundant in the South Island, and to M. robusta, which is most plentiful in 
the North Island, Although the two plants are easily distinguished, even in the 
absence of flowers, it may be advisable to term this species the southern rata, 
and M, robusta the northern rata. Persons residing in the South Island would 
consider the Native name misapplied if used for the rata of the North Island, 
and the same may be said of the settlers in the North Island with regard to the 
rata of the South Island. Both species are called “ ironwood”’ by the bushmen. 
The genus Metrosideros includes species remarkable alike for the splendour 
of their flowers and the economic value of their timber. The colony has few 
more magnificent sights to offer than a mountain-slope covered with this species 
from its base to nearly 4,o0o0ft. above sea-level, when the brilliant scarlet flowers 
are lighted up by the morning sun, It is only to be seen in its full beauty in 
such localities as the lower part of the Otira, the deep sounds of the South 
Island, or on Stewart Island. It is of special interest as forming the chief por- 
tion of the arboreal vegetation of the Auckland Islands, and extending even to 
Campbell Island. 
It forms a tree from 3o0ft. to 6oft. high, with a trunk aft. to 6ft. in diameter. 
When growing at the margin of the sea it is often divided from the base into 
three or four large arms, and in exposed alpine situations is reduced to a gnarled 
bush, often with stout branches. The bark is yellowish-brown, often peeling off 
in large flakes. The twigs are stout or slender, and often obscurely four-sided. 
The leaves are opposite, 1jin. to 3in. long, thick and glossy; lanceolate, with 
very long points and slender petioles; the under-surface dotted with oil-glands ; 
in the young state they are clothed with silky hairs. The flowers are produced 
in great profusion, and are generally arranged in threes, thickly clustered at the 
tips of the branches, forming cymes sometimes as much ag 2in. in diameter, 
but usually smaller. The calyx forms a deep silky cup with five small petals, 
and numerous crowded deep-crimson stamens springing from its margin. The 
ovary is three-celled, seated at the bottom of the cup-shaped calyx,- and the 
style exceeds the stamens in length. The calyx is persistent in fruit, and 
becomes almost woody; it is longer than the woody capsule, which contains 
numerous minute seeds, and opens by three valves. The petals are very small, 
and contribute but little to the brilliant splendour of the flowers, which is exclu- 
sively due to the fiery crimson filaments of the innumerable stamens. 
A single specimen with lustrous golden-yellow flowers was observed in 
Arthur’s Pass; but any departure from the normal crimson is extremely rare. 
The flowers are produced from December to February, or even March at 
very high altitudes. 
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