ramarama

Lophomyrtus bullata | ramarama

 

A distinctive shrub or small tree easily identified by its small, ovate, shiny, blistered reddish leaves. Common in lowland forests of the upper South Island and throughout the North Island, it produces white or pale pink cup-shaped fluffy-looking flowers that give way to berries favoured by pigeons and tūī from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Its variable shiny, bubbly foliage and dark red berries offer a lovely color contrast for gardens and landscaping. Ramarama thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, typically reaching around 5 meters in height.

lowland forest

montane forest

coastal forest

streamsides

shrubland

well drained

full sun

height | 8m

width | 4m / 20cm (trunk)

flowering | November–March

fruiting |  January–June

The arrival of myrtle rust in New Zealand poses a serious threat to ramarama, leading to its conservation status being elevated to threatened - nationally critical. Notably, ramarama and its hybrids have exhibited a higher susceptibility to myrtle rust infection compared to other Myrtaceae species in New Zealand to date.