Pseudopanax Five finger
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Recent observations of the New Zealand
Bush | |
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Pseudopanax belong to the family Araliaceae to which
Meryta (puka) and Schifflera (pate) also belong
Pseudopanax are shrubs or small trees. The identifying feature is compound leaves
with flowers and berries in umbels.
Pseudopanax
Slideshow. Free Learning Resource for teachers and students
Pseudopanax lessonii Houpara
This plant
naturally grows as far south as Poverty Bay in Coastal forest and scrub. It
forms a very attractive, glossy leaved shrub about 5-6 metres high. It grows
well in coastal sites, but is a little tender to frost. It makes a useful
speciman for planting in a planter on a terrace or
balcony.

Pseudopanax arboreus Puahou
five
finger
This is one of New Zealands most
common Native trees found from Cape Reinga to Bluff in lowland forests. Its
particular form of a glossy, five or seven fingered leaf along with quick and
luxuriant growth gives a distinctly New Zealand character to any ornamental
garden. It grows into a stout tree up to 8 metres high and grows well in most
soils and situations.
Pseudopanax crassifolius
horoeka lance wood
One of the most interesting trees of the New Zealand
flora. It has a distinct juvenile and adult form and as such was once classified
as distinct species. It is a very popular ornamental tree overseas. The juvenile
form is particularly striking with its cluster of leaves hanging at 45 degrees
from the trunk . After about 15 years the plant begins to assume its adult form.
It will produce a number of branches and the leaves become broader so a 6 metre
crowned tree is formed. It grows well in most situations and is particularly
useful as a feature plant in any ornamental area of your property.
the adult leaves of
lancewood. Sometimes the leaves are broader than shown here.
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| The juvenile leaf of lancewood. |
The juvenile leaf of lancewood. |
Pseudopanax gilleseii
An attractive palnt confined to Whangaroa and Little
barrier Island. Grows to 4m.

Pseudopanax laetus.
The most handsome of all the Pseudopanax. It has the
largest leaves and creates a tropical feel to any garden.

All
Pseudopanax produce flowers and berries in umbels. (like an umbrella, radiating
out from the centre).P. laetus
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| Male flowers of Pseudopanax lessonii. All Pseudopanax are
dioecious having male and female flowers on separate plants |
Male flowers of Pseudopanax
arboreus. |
Pseudopanx anomalum
is so named because it is an anomaly or quite different
to all the other Pseudopanax. It is a divaricating shrub,with small simple
leaves and is most unlike the others. The flowers and berries determine that it
be placed in the Pseudopanax genera. Found throughout New Zealand.

Seed Germination
There is some variance between species as to the
requirements necessary for germination. Pseudopanax ferox and P. arboreus
germinate rapidly after a period of low temperature stratification, although the
final % germination was unaffected by stratification. P. gilliseii germinated
strongly 4 weeks from sowing in a glasshouse. In the wild I have seen thousands
of seedlings growing beneath a P. crassifolium tree in June only a month or so
after shedding of seed would have occurred. No seedlings were evident on the
ground in the previous January although the tree was heavy with seed.I have sown
P. lessonii in June and had strong germination by August.
In all cases it pays to seperate
the fruit from the seeds as this is thought to be an inhibitor of
germination in some species. It is a good practise to do this for most
seeds. The inhibition of germination by the fruit and flesh is interpreted as a
mechanism for delaying germination in the wild, with birds removing this source
of inhibition and enhancing germination. The delay of germination will stimulate
germination over a length of time there by subjecting the seedlings to different
environmental factors
Do you want to learn more about native
plants?.
Then check out these books from
Fishpond