Scarlet rātā is one of the better-known species of rātā vines, because it flowers in autumn or winter, and is often highly visible on well-lit host trees along forest roads, with vibrant displays of large red flowers (sometimes orange or yellow) that rise above the forest canopy.

Metrosideros fulgens prefers warm moist habitats and grows up to 10m long or more, with the main stem up to 10 cm or more in diameter.

It climbs in the same way as ivy, sending out short adventitious roots to adhere to the trunks of host trees, penetrating and clinging to rough surfaces.

The short clinging roots usually die after about a year, so that when the vine is mature, the thick, twisted, rope-like stems hang free from the host like thick, sometimes twisted ropes, with red-brown flaky bark.

In addition to the above cultivars, it is also possible to buy regular forms of M. fulgens through specialist plant nurseries.