Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Pseudopanax
Species: Pseudopanax hybrids & cultivars
Pseudopanax lessonii is extremely variable from seed and hybridizes naturally with other members of this genus. This has led to many different foliage forms, growth habits and leaf colours being offered for sale.
RHS Plant Assessments PDF file on Pittosporum tenuifolium hybrids & cultivars by Diana M Miller, Former Keeper of the RHS Herbarium, Wisley.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/getattachment/cf6798ef-db1b-4be9-a2d0-32fbd76c5bfd/Pittosporum-tenuifolium-Plant-Assessment.aspx
See article on the hybridising of Pseudopanax by the Wellington Botanical Society http://wellingtonbotsoc.wellington.net.nz/articles/2007/Pseudopanax-hybrids.html
The leaves of all forms of Pseudopanax can vary in shape. The photos below are a general guide only.
Pseudopanax lessonii "Cyril Watson"
This particular hybrid five-finger was named after Cyril Watson (a sales manager at Duncan and Davies a world-renowned nursery in New Plymouth) who recognized its potential and helped introduced it to the gardening public.
It is a lush glossy dark green shrub that grows up to 3m in diameter and 3m in height. The leaves are thick, shiny and leathery with three to five short lobes. Its growth is compact and it always maintains a fresh green appearance. During summer it has inconspicuous flowers which are followed by clusters of berries.
Pseudopanax lessonii Dark Star has extremely dark green new foliage is flushed with bronze margins. Grows to H 2m x W 2m.
Pseudopanax 'Fiddlesticks' is a form of a lancewood from the iconic NZ nursery of Duncan and Davies in New Plymouth. Duncan and Davies were in its day the foremost nursery in NZ bringing out fantastic new plant & fruit tree varieties. It’s been fortunate Pseudopanax 'Fiddlesticks' hasn’t been lost and is now comparatively rare variety.
The spectacularly coloured tapering saw like "fiddlestick-like" leaves are brilliant shades of orange, gold and pink. It has an upright, slender habit. It has a single slender main stem from which long thin leaves are sent out at odd angles. Only after reaching its mature height of 3-4m will it branch out.
Pseudopanax lessonii 'Forest Gem' is a shrub that has a round/oval habit growing to a height of 2.5-3m. It has deep green, serrated foliage.
Pseudopanax lessonii Goldfinger has finger-like serrated leaves. New leaves are golden yellow which on ageing slowly change to dark green colour. Grows to H 2.5m x W 1.5m.
Pseudopanax lessonii linearifolium also known as Pseudopanax linearifolium, Lancewood 'Linearifolius', Pseudopanax linearifolius. It is a narrow evergreen shrub with palmate, leathery, toothed, dark green leaves. It grows to a height of 2m and can have a spread of 1.5m.
Pseudopanax lessonii Nigra (Pseudopanax Nigra) This hybrid has bronze-purple foliage. The colour intensifies in winter.
Pseudopanax lessonii Purpurea (Pseudopanax Purpurea) is an evergreen shrub with a compact, bushy habit. It has lobed leaves that are glossy and the new foliage is a deep mahogany colour. It is hardy in coastal areas but tender to heavy frosts. It will grow to a height of 5m.
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Rangatira’ (Pseudopanax Discolor ‘Rangatira’) is a compact low growing shrub with divided leaves. The undersides are deep bronze colour. It has insignificant flowers and it is also called “Bronzed Lancewood”.
Pseudopanax lessonii Toru is an evergreen hybrid with slightly triangular shaped, three-fingered, thick, leathery leaves. Will grow to 2 m.
Pseudopanax lessonii "Trident"
The "Trident" cultivar was developed by Duncan and Davies in New Plymouth and was widely sold in 1970.
The variety or cultivar: 'Trident' is an upright to rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery, glossy, mid- to dark green, single-double- or triple-lobed leaves. Rounded clusters of yellow-green flowers are followed by purple-black fruit on female plants. It can be grown as a hedge. Parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.
Pseudopanax lessonii 'Dreamtime' has bronze-green leaves in summer which turn purple in winter. The leaves have coarsely serrated edges. It is a hardy shrub that will grow to 3m x 1.5m.
Pseudopanax lessonii Sabre is a tall hardy evergreen shrub which grows to a height of 3m and can have a width of up to 2m. In its juvenile form, it has narrow, dark green, thick, leathery lance-shaped leaves that have a yellowish-orange midrib. The leaves are undulated and hang downwards. The leaf margins are finely serrated.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
