Southern Rātā

Metrosideros umbellata, commonly known as southern rātā, is an evergreen tree in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where its range mainly covers the South and Stewart Islands, while being largely not present in the North Island. M. umbellata individuals are also found in the subantarctic Auckland Islands. M. umbellata's habitat is unrestricted and can occur in many different natural environments, altitudinal ranges and surfaces.

Metrosideros umbellata was first described by the Spanish botanist Antonio José Cavanilles in 1797. M. umbellata grows to a height of up to 15 metres (50 feet) with a trunk measuring up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. It has an estimated lifespan of 400–500 years. M. umbellata produces masses of typically scarlet-coloured flowers, typically in summer, from November to February. Its bark is thin, and its outer layers peel off as papery flakes. The nectar-producing flowers of M. umbellata are visited by numerous New Zealand birds, such as, bellbirds, kākā, kea, and tūī. M. umbellata's conservation status was assessed by the New Zealand Threat Classification System in 2023 as "Not Threatened".