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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Genus: | Neopanax |
| Species: | N. colensoi
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| Binomial name | |
| Neopanax colensoi | |
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Pseudopanax colensoi, commonly known as the Mountain Fivefinger, is an endemic species to New Zealand. Mountain Fivefinger is a shrub that can often grow into a small canopy tree. It is found in high altitude environments in its perferred areas around New Zealand.
Description
editPseudopanax colensoi, commonly known as the Mountain Fivefinger, is a shrub that can often grow into a small canopy tree that has big glossy yellowish green leaves with purplish stalks [3]. Each leaflet measures 12-25 cm long and around 5-10 cm wide or more[3]. Each leaf has five to seven leaflets [3]. The leaves are toothed/serrated along their edges [4]. With large spreading branches and compound petiole leaves, Pseudopanax colensoi can grow up to around 8 meters tall [4]. The growth form of a Pseudopanax colensoi is a shrub and can often grow into small canopy trees, other species of Pseudopanax can be shrubs used in some landscaping. Some people prune the roots of the plants but to prune the roots of a Pseudopanax colensoi would dramatically affect how much they grow [5]. A cluster of whiteish-green flowers grow in clusters of 10-15 that look like little umbrellas. The clusters grow into bigger clusters on the purplish stalks of the plant as they grow [4]. The flowers then produce fruit that is either all male or all females. Female fruit is much darker in colour and less than 1cm in diameter [4].
Range
editNatural global range
editPseudopanax colensoi is endemic to New Zealand. Between the years 2004-2017, Pseudopanax colensoi has not been a threatened species [6]. The number of subspecific taxa in New Zealand for Pseudopanax colensoi is a total of 3 [7]. Pseudopanax colensoi naturally occurs around New Zealand. Throughout the Nelson and Marlborough region the Pseudopanax colensoi occurs from sea level up to over 4,000ft above sea level [8]. Pseudopanax colensoi is a significant plant species in New Zealand. It is a common species that does extremely well in New Zealand’s various climates.
New Zealand range
editThere are Pseudopanax colensoi populations located throughout New Zealand, particularly in and around the Otago, Dunedin area on the east coast of the South Island and south of Banks Peninsula in Canterbury. It is occasionally found in the North Island along the Coromandel Range [6]. Pseudopanax colensoi is a common species in New Zealand and is found all over the country but more commonly in some specific areas. Pseudopanax colensoi is seemingly absent from the west coast of the South Island [6] which could be due to climate or another underlying factor that causes them to not grow in that area as well or often as other plants.
Habitat
editPseudopanax colensoi has certain preferred habitats. It is found in mountainous areas between 300 and 800 meters above sea level and low alpine forests and scrubland [6]. When one species is taken away from a populated area of Pseudopanax colensoi it is quickly replaced with most commonly another from the same family [8]. Pseudopanax colensoi likes to live in areas that are away from water but in an area with nutrient rich soils. Different species of Pseudopanax do well in different habitats. Some do well in poor soil conditions, dry shaded areas, with a divaricating habitat. Others are used in gardens as decorative plants taking up little room. Some Pseudopanax do well in nurseries for vegetation cover [9].
Ecology
editLife cycle/Phenology
editThe most common form of plant dispersal is through either wind, water, or animals. Different plants disperse their seeds further away from it or drop their seeds onto an animal so it can move around and give the seeds a better survival chance. For Pseudopanax colensoi the phenology of germination for the seed is very important. The seed needs the soil to be at a cold temperature and a little bit damp for 1-3 months which gives the seed a better germination rate which occurs within those 1-3 months [10]. Pseudopanax colensoi seeds take around 6 months to germinate because it needs the correct temperatures [10]. Most species of Pseudopanax have their fruit ripen between January and April in the summer to autumn months [10]. The seeds of Pseudopanax colensoi do not have good storage capacity [10]. The Pseudopanax colensoi flowers and fruits between October and March. Pseudopanax colensoi produce flowers that are a creamy greenish colour [6]. When the fruit is ripe, it turns a dark purple colour, and there are only two seeds per fruit [6]. The average life span of a Pseudopanax species is around 15-20 years [5].
Diet and foraging
editPseudopanax colensoi and other Pseudopanax species can handle a wide range of different soil types but it most commonly likes and gets planted in soils that have poor structure. This is because they help with erosion control in areas that have poorly structured soil [11]. Different species like a different amount of water; some Pseudopanax species like dry soils and others tolerate wet soils. Pseudopanax colensoi doesn’t mind either wet soils or dry soils as long as the environmental conditions are right [11]. Pseudopanax colensoi seedlings need certain soil mixes to germinate, which can be either potting mixes, pricking out mixes, rooting mixes, seed sowing mixes and soil [10]. Adding materials such as bark, peat, sawdust, perlite, pumice, vermiculite, sand, and grit to the soil can provide nutrients and improve the chances of survival in a Pseudopanax colensoi plant.
Predators, Parasites, and Diseases
editPseudopanax colensoi is a fast-growing native plant that attracts a wide range of different birds which eat its fruit during October and March [11]. There are many diseases, parasites and predators that can harm any native species and have many devastating impacts. Some examples of different fungi that affect Pseudopanax colensoi are phytophthora, pythium, grey mould, root rot and rhizoctonia [10]. Pseudopanax colensoi seedlings and mature trees are highly vulnerable to the damaging effects of various types of fungi. Unfortunately, once these fungi have infected the Pseudopanax colensoi, it can be difficult to salvage the plant and get it back to a healthy state. In this case, the only option is to remove the entire plant to prevent the fungi from spreading and causing further harm to other species around it [10]. Leaf spots on young Pseudopanax colensoi seedlings can be a significant issue in certain regions around New Zealand, infecting the leaves and harming seedlings and fully grown plants [10]. Possums, aphids, mice, slugs, snails, woodlice, caterpillars, and grubs are some pests that can cause harm to Pseudopanax colensoi [10]. Possums pose a significant threat to native plants due to their destructive nature and potential to spread diseases. Their destructive nature causes them to tear up Pseudopanax colensoi trees and can cause serious harm to Pseudopanax colensoi when it comes to growth and the overall health of the Pseudopanax colensoi plant. Pseudopanax colensoi have a common predator like many other plants, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) [12]. Deer particularly sought after different varieties of Pseudopanax colensoi [12]. Deer strip all the bark off Pseudopanax colensoi, affecting its strength and causing it to become brittle and break [12]. Most Pseudopanax colensoi become leafless and die but those over 40cm often remain untouched by red deer [12]. Pseudopanax colensoi lives in areas that vary depending on rainfall, sunlight, oceanic climate, wind, and snow. In these varied climates, there is a huge range of predators that can affect Pseudopanax colensoi. In different areas some predators that would disturb Pseudopanax colensoi would be common predators such as possums, rats, wasps, wild goats, hedgehogs, and ants (Animal pests and threats A-Z). These pests cause great disturbance to the Pseudopanax colensoi and the ecosystems that they live in.
Interesting Facts
editAn interesting fact is that Pseudopanax colensoi is commonly known as the mountain fivefinger because it looks like a hand since it has five leaves. The middle leaf of the Pseudopanax colensoi is the longest, resembling an index finger, and the leaves get smaller from there resembling the thumb and pinky finger on the human hand.
References
edit- ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. (2018). "Neopanax colensoi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T135793090A135793092. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T135793090A135793092.en. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ a b Neopanax colensoi (Hook.f.) Allan. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Foster, T (2012). Te Whakapapa o nga Rakau: Interpreting the Special Features of Native Plants. Plant Heritage New Zealand. pp. 7–207.
- ^ a b c d Lehnebach & Meudt, C & H (2022). Native Plants of Aotearoa. Te Papa Te Taiao Nature Series, Wellington: Te Papa Press.
- ^ a b Going Native (2004). Going Native Making use of New Zealand Plants. Christchurch: University of Canterbury.
- ^ a b c d e f NZPCN, New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. "Peseudopanax colensoi var. colensoi". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.
- ^ "Pseudopanax colensoi". NZ Flora.
- ^ a b Wardle, P. "The taxonomy and distribution of the stipulate species of pseudopanax in New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 6 (2): 226–236.
- ^ Cave & Paddison, Y & V (1999). The Gardener’s Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Native Plants. Auckland: Random House New Zealand.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Metcalf, L (2007). The Propagation of New Zealand Native Plants. Auckland: Random House New Zealand.
- ^ a b c Crowe, A (2004). Which Native Plant can I grow here. Auckland: Penguin Group.
- ^ a b c d Mark & Baylis, A.F & G.T.S (1982). Further Studies On The Impact Of Deer On Secretary Island, Fiordland, New Zealand. Dunedin: Botany Department University of Otago.
