Pseudopanax: Five finger

Pseudopanax belong to the family Araliaceae to which Meryta (puka) and Schefflera (pate) also belong

Pseudopanax are shrubs or small trees.


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 it is a little tender to frost. Houpara makes a useful specimen for planting in aplanter on a terrace or balcony.

Pseudopanax lessonnii

Pseudopanax arboreus     Puahou  five finger

This is one of New Zealands most common native trees. It can be 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 growsinto a stout tree up to 8 metres high and grows well in most soils and situations.

Pseudopanax arboreus. 5 Finger.


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 45degrees 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 ornamentalarea of your property.

Lancewood_adultThe adult leaves of lancewood. Sometimes the leaves are broader than shown here.



pseudo_cra_ leaf2Pseudolance
The juvenile leaf of lancewood.The juvenile leaf of lancewood.


Pseudopanax gilliesii
An attractive plant confined to Whangaroa and Little barrier Island. Grows to 4m. Note the single and  trifoliolate leaf.

Pseudopanax gilleseii

Pseudopanax laetus.

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

Pseudopanax laetus

 

Pseudopanax laetusAll Pseudopanax produce flowers and berries in umbels. (Like an umbrella, radiating out from the centre). Pseudopanax laetus

 



Pseudopanax lessoniiPseudopanax arboreus 5 finger
Male flowers of Pseudopanax lessonii. All Pseudopanax are dioecious having male and female flowers on separate plants.Male flowers of Pseudopanax arboreus.


Pseudopanx anomalum

The plant is named because it is an anomaly or quite different to all the other Pseudopanax. It is a divaricating shrub, with small simple leaves. The flowers and berries determine that it be placed in the Pseudopanax genera. Found throughout NewZealand.

0445 - Pseudopanax anomalum

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.gilliesii germinated strongly 4 weeks from sowing in a glasshouse. In the wild I have seen hundreds 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 theprevious 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. 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 andenhancing germination.
Pseudopanax Slideshow. Free Learning Resource for teachers and students
Plant heritage NZ Order on line
Do you want to learn more about native plants?.
Then check out these books from Fishpond
100 Best NZ Native Plants forGardens                       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 andIdentification                     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
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