Metrosideros diffusa, the white rÃÂtÃÂ, climbing rÃÂtÃÂ or in MÃÂori akakura, is a forest liane or vine endemic to New Zealand. It is one of a number of New Zealand Metrosideros species which live out their lives as vines, unlike the northern rÃÂtÃÂ (M.robusta), which generally begins as a hemi-epiphyte and grows into a huge tree. It is one of three white flowering rÃÂtÃÂ vines (the others being large white rÃÂtÃÂ and small white rÃÂtÃÂ). White rÃÂtÃÂ is the most common climbing rÃÂtÃÂ in the wild, found naturally in lowland forests throughout the North, South and Stewart islands.
Metrosideros diffusa climbs to tall and has small shiny leaves up to or more. The leaves are mostly rounded at the tip. Flowering is from mid-spring to early summer, with white or pale pink flowers.
Metrosideros diffusa is not widely grown in cultivation, but is available from specialist native plant nurseries within New Zealand. In addition there is one known cultivar, Metrosideros diffusa 'Crystal Showers' sold by Blue Mountain Nurseries in Tapanui. This is a slow growing groundcover with white flowers but cream and green variegated foliage.