Pseudopanax lessonii

{{Short description|Species of tree endemic to New Zealand}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2025}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Speciesbox

|name = Houpara

|image = Pseudopanax-lessonii-004.jpg

|image_caption = The leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets

|genus = Pseudopanax

|species = lessonii

|authority = (DC.) K.Koch

|synonyms = Panax lessonii DC.

}}

Pseudopanax lessonii, commonly known as houpara, is a New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Araliaceae.

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

Image:PseudopanaxLessonii-003.jpg

It is 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

Image:PseudopanaxLessoniiStarr.jpgHoupara 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}}