Lancewood

Scientific name: Pseudopanax crassifolius
Maori name: Horoeka

Pioneer Tree (10m - 15m) - native to the Wellington Region
Suits: dry, partial shade, sunny, shelter, exposure, coastal forest garden, coastal and dune garden, small garden or balcony

About Lancewood

lancewood is one of the oddities in New Zealand’s forest. The explanation to its oddities can be explained as a defense agains browsing moa. At the height of 3 to 4 meters, well above moa head height, more normal looking leaves are starting to emerge, becoming smaller without the serrated edges. The trunk becomes wider and branches are beginning to take form. This usually happens after 10 to 15 years. During its juvenile stage, leaves are leathery and tough with sharply pointed serrated edges or teeth. These leaves can be up to 1 meter, but usually around 60 cm. Studies of leaf colouration shows that the leaves are putting all attention to their teeth. Telling browsing birds off. Fruit is however often eaten by birds.

Where Lancewood is grown together with the Psudeopenax lessonii, they will readily breed and create aggressive and invasive hybrids.

Lancewood tolerates full sun to part shade and prefers to be a bit dry and can work well in pots or can even be used as a bonsai.