Five-finger, Puahou, Whauwhaupaku
Neopanax arboreus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 3-6 m high and spreads 4.5 m wide. It is a rounded tree. The leaves are leathery and have leaflets like fingers on a hand. There are 5-7 leaflets. They are deep, shiny green. Plants are separately male and female. The flowers are small. The fruit are small purple berries.

There are 20 Pseudopanax species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. In New Zealand it grows from sea level to 760 m altitude. It can grow in dry soils and tolerates wind. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, New Zealand (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are probably bitter.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Nothopanax arboreus Seem.; Panax arboreus L.f.; Panax australasius Pers.; Pseudopanax arboreus (L.f.) K.Koch;