Rata

Maori name: Rata

Common name: Northern Rata

Botanical name: Metrosideros robusta

The rata is found throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand .

It begins life as a vine and grows up another tree until eventually it smothers the light of the other tree, killing it.

The rata can grow up to a height of feet and have a trunk of 18– 20 feet in diameter .

The leaves closely resemble those of the pohutukawa.

Rata bark was steeped in water to make a lotion which was applied to the affected area to treat ringworm.

Rata bark was beaten into a poultice and left in water. The patient could then use this lotion as a bath or massage it into the skin to treat sore muscles, rheumatic joints or broken bones .

The shoots were cut and the sap applied to a wound to stop the bleeding before it was covered with a leaf bandage .

The bark could also be boiled and the remaining liquid applied to the bleeding area .

Nectar from the flowers was taken to treat sore throats.

To treat toothache, rata leaves were chewed and applied to a hollow in the tooth .