Bartlett’s rata Metrosideros bartlettii

Metrosideros bartlettii leaves
Metrosideros bartlettii trunk
Metrosideros bartlettii leaves

Key Features

  • Large tree (up to 25 m) with soft, papery, white bark, and bright green leaves that have twisted, pointed tips.
  • Flowers are small and white.
  • Young plants sometimes establish as epiphytes, for instance on tree ferns.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Te Paki Ecological District in the far north of the Aupori Peninsula, Northland.
  • Occurs in mixed broadleaved forest, mostly in forest remnants in gully bottoms.

Threats

  • Habitat modification and loss.
  • Regeneration failure.
  • Disturbance of young plants by pigs.
  • Browse by possums, horses and cattle.
  • Fire.
  • Hybridisation with northern rata.

Management Opportunities

  • Survey for new locations.
  • Mark known sites.
  • Protection of habitat from development or fire.
  • Stock fence areas where Bartlett’s rata grows.
  • Collar trees to prevent possum browse.
  • Possum control by poisoning or trapping.
  • Pig control by hunting.
  • Construct animal exclosures to enhance seedling establishment.
  • Ensure that forest owners are aware of potential habitats and can recognise the species.

Monitoring Options

  • Check for regeneration.
  • Monitor individual trees for browsing damage.
  • Report new locations to DOC, NZPCN.

Further Information and Support

  • New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz
  • Pest control - Department of Conservation, Regional Councils.
  • References:
    • Dopson et al. (1999). The conservation requirements of New Zealand’s nationally threatened vascular plants. Threatened Species Occasional Publication 13. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
    • Wilson & Given (1989). Threatened plants of New Zealand. DSIR Publishing, Wellington.
    • Peter de Lange, Peter Heenan, David Norton, Jeremy Rolfe and John Sawyer (2010). Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 472 pp.