Pseudopanax Five finger

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 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.

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.

All Pseudopanax produce flowers and berries in umbels. (like an umbrella, radiating out from the centre).P. laetus

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

 

Pseudopanax Slideshow. Free Learning Resource for teachers and students

 

Do you want to learn more about native plants?.

Then check out these books from Fishpond

 

 

100 Best NZ Native Plants for Gardens                       The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Native Trees                  Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand                           Gardener's Encyclopaedia of NZ Native Plants        A Photographic Guide to Ferns of New Zealand                             Eco Kiwi: Green Solutions for Everyday Life              N ew Zealand Trees and Shrubs: AComprehensive Guide to Cultivation and Identification                     From Weta to Kauri: A Guide to the NZ Forest
Which Native Forest Plant? (Which S.)                   A Photographic Guide to Birds of New Zealand (A Photographic Guide To...)                   Wetland Plants in New Zealand                          Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand