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(Pseudopanax lessonii)
Houpara (Pseudopanax lessonii)
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Christopher Stephens
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Christopher Stephens
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Christopher Stephens | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Christopher Stephens | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-01-15T12:38:50-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Boston, Massachusetts
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 11" - 127" | 45" | Aquatic | Aquatic |
| • High Temp. | 67°F - 81°F | 84°F | Your summers may be too hot for this plant. | Too hot |
| • Low Temp. | 33°F - 53°F | 18°F | Your winter temperatures may be too cold for this plant | Too cold |
This plant should grow well at your location with about N inches per year (Y minutes per month) of irrigation.
Summary
Pseudopanax lessonii, commonly known as houpara, is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand, specifically the coastal forests, scrublands, and cliff areas of the Three Kings Islands and the North Island. It is a member of the Araliaceae family and can grow up to 20 feet tall. The tree features stout branches with crowded, glossy green leaves towards the tips, which are palmate with 3-5 leaflets. Houpara is notable for its architectural form and can produce small, inconspicuous flowers followed by purple-black berries that are attractive to birds.
Houpara is valued for its lush foliage and is often used in New Zealand gardens for its ornamental qualities. It thrives in mild, moist conditions, preferring a sheltered position with well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun exposure. The cultivar ’Gold Splash’ has variegated leaves that provide visual interest, while ’Nigra’ features darker foliage. Houpara is relatively low maintenance but can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. It is also used in coastal revegetation projects due to its tolerance of salt spray and wind.CC BY-SA 4.0
Houpara is valued for its lush foliage and is often used in New Zealand gardens for its ornamental qualities. It thrives in mild, moist conditions, preferring a sheltered position with well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun exposure. The cultivar ’Gold Splash’ has variegated leaves that provide visual interest, while ’Nigra’ features darker foliage. Houpara is relatively low maintenance but can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils. It is also used in coastal revegetation projects due to its tolerance of salt spray and wind.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 10-30 feet
- Width: 5-10 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow, Moderate
- Flower Color: Green, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Coastal forests, scrublands, and cliff areas of the Three Kings Islands and the North Island
Other Names
Common Names: Five Finger
Scientific Names: Pseudopanax lessonii, Aralia lessonii, Aralia trifolia, Aralia trifolia, Aralia trifolia, Cussonia lessonii, Hedera lessonii, Panax lessonii
GBIF Accepted Name: Pseudopanax lessonii