Pseudopanax lessonii
Pseudopanax lessonii, or houpara, is a New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Araliaceae.
Houpara | |
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The leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Araliaceae |
Genus: | Pseudopanax |
Species: | P. lessonii |
Binomial name | |
Pseudopanax lessonii (DC.) K.Koch | |
Synonyms | |
Panax lessonii DC. |
Description
Houpara is a shrub or tree up to 6 m tall, with stout branches. The leaves are crowded towards the tips of branchlets, and are 3- to 5-foliolate. Juvenile plants have larger leaves than adults. The petioles are 5–15 cm long.
Distribution
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Endemic to New Zealand, Houpara's natural range is coastal forest and scrub on the Three Kings Islands and the North Island as far south as Poverty Bay (38°4′S).
Cultivation
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Houpara is popular in New Zealand gardens, but is rare in cultivation elsewhere, requiring mild, moist conditions, without extremes of temperature in winter and summer. A number of cultivars have been developed, including 'Gold Splash' which has yellow variegated leaves, and 'Nigra' which has dark purple-brown foliage.
References
- Salmon J T, The Native Trees of New Zealand, AH & AW Reed Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand 1973 ISBN 0-589-01340-8
External links
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- Flora of New Zealand, URL:Pseudopanax lessonii. Accessed 16 May 2007.
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, URL:Pseudopanax lessonii. Accessed 2010-10-04.