Pseudopanax
Encyclopedia
Pseudopanax is a small genus
of 12–20 species of evergreen plants, the majority of which are endemic to New Zealand
, although they also occur in Tasmania
(Australia) and some plants from South America
have at times been included in this genus. Flowers of the genus occur in terminal umbel
s.
and Pseudopanax ferox
(commonly referred to as 'lancewood' and 'toothed lancewood', respectively). Pseudopanax arboreus (common name "five-finger") is a very common small tree in New Zealand native forests. Pseudopanax simplex
occurs on North Island
south of the Waihou River
; in Westland and other South Island
forests; as well as on Stewart Island.
and warmer parts of Great Britain
. A number of cultivars have been developed, mostly of Pseudopanax lessonii. These include 'Gold Splash' which has yellow variegated leaves, and 'Nigra' which has dark purple-brown foliage. A National Trust listed specimen of Pseudopanax crassifolius exists on the Alton property at Mount Macedon, Victoria, Australia which is 21 metres high and has a 11.5m spread. It's age is estimated at 100 years.
There are also two species endemic to southern Chile
and Argentina
: P. laetevirens a small tree, and P. valdiviensis, a woody vine from Valdivian temperate rain forests
. However both of these species are included by some authors in Raukaua
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of 12–20 species of evergreen plants, the majority of which are endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, although they also occur in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
(Australia) and some plants from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
have at times been included in this genus. Flowers of the genus occur in terminal umbel
Umbel
An umbel is an inflorescence which consists of a number of short flower stalks which are equal in length and spread from a common point, somewhat like umbrella ribs....
s.
Natural occurrence
Pseudopanax occur in forest or scrub environments. The genus contains some remarkable small trees with distinctly different juvenile and adult forms, such as Pseudopanax crassifoliusPseudopanax crassifolius
Pseudopanax crassifolius, horoeka, or lancewood, is a New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Araliaceae. It is found throughout New Zealand from sea level up to about 750 m. The juvenile form, which lasts for between 15 and 20 years, is very easily recognized...
and Pseudopanax ferox
Pseudopanax ferox
Toothed lancewood or horoeka, , is a small tree endemic to New Zealand. It is similar to the more common Lancewood Pseudopanax crassifolius but with more prominently tooth-shaped leaves. The juvenile leaves are a very dark grey-brown to grey-green colour, narrow, stiff and up to 40 cm long...
(commonly referred to as 'lancewood' and 'toothed lancewood', respectively). Pseudopanax arboreus (common name "five-finger") is a very common small tree in New Zealand native forests. Pseudopanax simplex
Pseudopanax simplex
Pseudopanax simplex is a species of evergreen plant. This species is native to New Zealand. The species occurs in certain lowland, montane and subalpine forests from the Waihou River southward to Stewart Island and the Auckland Islands. An example occurrence in Westland forests includes associates...
occurs on North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
south of the Waihou River
Waihou River
thumb|The Waihou River near [[Putaruru]]The Waihou River is located in the northern North Island of New Zealand. Its former name, Thames River, was bestowed by Captain James Cook....
; in Westland and other South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
forests; as well as on Stewart Island.
Cultivation
Many of the species are popular in New Zealand gardens, but are rather rare in cultivation elsewhere, requiring mild, moist conditions similar to those in New Zealand, without extremes of temperature in winter and summer. They reportedly grow well in Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
and warmer parts of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. A number of cultivars have been developed, mostly of Pseudopanax lessonii. These include 'Gold Splash' which has yellow variegated leaves, and 'Nigra' which has dark purple-brown foliage. A National Trust listed specimen of Pseudopanax crassifolius exists on the Alton property at Mount Macedon, Victoria, Australia which is 21 metres high and has a 11.5m spread. It's age is estimated at 100 years.
There are also two species endemic to southern Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
: P. laetevirens a small tree, and P. valdiviensis, a woody vine from Valdivian temperate rain forests
Valdivian temperate rain forests
The Valdivian temperate rain forests are a temperate broadleaf and mixed-forest ecoregion located on the west coast of southern South America, lying mostly in Chile and extending into a small part of Argentina. It is part of the Neotropic ecozone. The forests are named after the city of Valdivia...
. However both of these species are included by some authors in Raukaua
Raukaua
Raukaua is a genus of flowering plant of family Araliaceae. It includes 8 species, most of which are endemic to New Zealand. However, some authorities include two species endemic to Southern Chile and Argentina in Raukaua, namely R. laetevirens, a small tree, and R. valdiviensis, a woody vine from...
.