Lophomyrtus bullata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lophomyrtus bullata
An illustration from 1854 by Walter Hood Fitch
Scientific classification
Genus:	Lophomyrtus
Species:	bullata

Ramarama growing in the Auckland Botanic Gardens

Lophomyrtus bullata, also known by its Māori name ramarama, is a special kind of evergreen shrub. It belongs to the Lophomyrtus genus in the Myrtaceae family. You can only find this plant in New Zealand.

What is Ramarama?

Ramarama is a shrub that can grow quite tall, up to 8 meters (about 26 feet) high. It has many branches that grow very close together.

How Does Ramarama Look?

The leaves of the ramarama plant are oval-shaped. They are thick, shiny, and have a bubbly texture. Their color can change from dark green to yellow-green. Sometimes, you might even see red, maroon, or blackish spots on them.

Ramarama's Life Cycle

Ramarama plants produce flowers between November and March. After the flowers, they grow fruits. You can usually see these fruits from January through June.

What Threatens Ramarama?

Since 2020, ramarama has been in serious danger from a disease called myrtle rust. This disease is caused by a type of fungus called Austropuccinia psidii. Myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand in 2017 and has been a big problem for ramarama ever since.