Metrosideros albiflora, commonly known as large white rātā, Northland white rātā, akatea or simply white rātā, is a forest liane or vine endemic to New Zealand. It is one of three white flowering rātā vines (the others being white rātā and small white rātā). The specific epithet albiflora literally means 'white flowered'. Despite the similar names, large white rātā is distinguished by its much larger leaves and flowers. Its flowers are amongst the largest of any rātā, similar in size to both scarlet rātā and pōhutukawa. It occurs almost exclusively in kauri forests from the northern Kaimai Ranges to Te Paki at the top of the North Island.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of White Flowering Rātā being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Myrtales
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Genus
- Metrosideros
- Species
- Metrosideros albiflora
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