Puahou
Pseudopanax arboreus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

Pseudopanax arboreus is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 4 m (13ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Forests and open scrub from sea-level to 760 metres from North Cape to Southland.

New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves. The same report then goes on to say that the leaves are much too bitter to be edible.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in semi-shade or full sun. Not very hardy in Britain, plants tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c provided they are in a warm sheltered location. Whilst they can succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of the country, they are not hardy at Kew. Plants often start out life as epiphytes on the stems of tree ferns, eventually rooting into the ground. Large plants respond well to heavy pruning and careful transplanting. Plants have three distinctive forms of foliage at different stages in their life-cycles, the second stage, as a sapling, is often the most interesting. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown when ripe in the autumn in a warm greenhouse. The seed can be slow to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Air layering.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Neopanax arboreum. (Murray.)Allan. Nothopanax arboreum. Panax arboreum.