This small tree has a light brown trunk up to 450mm (18in) in diameter with terminal spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has leathery narrow toothed dark green leaves and the tiny star-shaped greenish flowers appear from summer to autumn.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Pseudopanax crassifoliusis naturally found in New Zealand from the North to the South Island and on Stewart Island growing in the lowland scrub and forests and in the adjoining lower mountains to an altitude of 760m (2,300ft).

It prefers a well drained drier fertile soil in a full sun to partly shaded open position tolerating frost, wind and drought.

Lancewood is grown for its upright habit and for its foliage. It is planted in gardens as a specimen or in groups along borders or as a feature plant. It is suitable for coastal and low mountain regions establishing in 5 to 7 years and is planted in patio pots or around commercial buildings. ID 2968

Note:
The plant remains in the juvenile stage for up to 20 years and under cultivation it normally attains a height of 6m (20ft) tall when mature.

Pseudopanax(soo-doe-PAN-aks) crassifolius(kras-ee-FO-lee-us)

Araliaceae(ah-RA-lee-AY-see-ee)