Pohutakawa and Rata are from the same Myrtle family (Myrtaceae). It is easily distinguished from Rata
by it's larger more elongated leaves, the fuzzy under side of it's leaves and by it's larger flowers.
This tree mainly grows along coastal areas but it has been found growing in bush Bay of Plenty and also near the entrance
of the train tunnel on the way to Waimiha (check it out).
We have three of these trees growing at Te Hape at this time.
