Botanical name:

Pseudopanax colensoi

Common name(s):

Orihou, mountain five finger or three finger

About:

A small, much-branched tree features wide-spreading, fleshy leaflets that are artfully arranged fanwise on very short stems. The leaves are a bright, glossy green and possess serrated edges, typically arranged in groups of fives. This tree is known for its remarkable hardiness and exceptional drought tolerance, particularly once it has become well established in its environment.

Natural habitat:

Montane to low alpine forest and scrub

Growing environment:

Frost, sun & drought resistant.

Endemic distribution:

Central North Island and Coromandel Range south to Banks Peninsula (and possibly Dunedin) on South Island east coast. Apparently absent from South Island West Coast. Plants with sessile-leaflets from the Fiordland-Stewart Island area are often referred to Pseudopanax colensoi var. fiordensis Wardle.

Height: 6m

Flowering:

October-March with a green or white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

October-March

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though