Rata vine grows in New Zealand forests. Most species are strong climbers with stems more than 5 inches (13 centimeters) in diameter. Juice oozes from the cut stems. Small rata vines are straggling climbers with ragged bark and small pink or white flowers. Southern rata, or ironwood, grows 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) as a tree and has large, fluffy, scarlet flowers.
