Pseudopanax Ferox - Toothed Lancewood 2ltr pot

The Pseudopanax ferox, commonly known as the toothed lancewood or horoeka, is a distinctive evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It is known for its unusual, dramatic transformation in foliage as it matures, making it a popular architectural plant in gardening. 

• Foliage: Juvenile plants have a single, slender stem with long, narrow, downward-pointing leaves (up to 45 cm) that are dark bronze-green with prominent, jagged, tooth-like serrations. Once the tree matures (typically after 10-15 years or around 4m in height), the leaves become shorter, wider, and dark green, forming a more conventional, rounded canopy on a clear trunk. The juvenile foliage is thought to have evolved to protect the plant from grazing animals.
• Size: It is a slow-growing tree, eventually reaching an ultimate height of 4-8 metres and a spread of 2.5-4 metres.
• Flowers and Fruit: The tree is dioecious (separate male and female plants). In summer and early autumn, it produces inconspicuous green flowers, followed by black, ovoid fruits on female plants.
• Habitat and Hardiness: It is found in a range of habitats in New Zealand, from coastal to subalpine areas, and prefers free-draining soil. It is frost-hardy down to about -5°C, but young plants and those in colder regions may require winter protection and shelter from cold, drying winds.