Five finger facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Five finger
Scientific classification
Genus:	Pseudopanax
Species:	arboreus

The Pseudopanax arboreus, also known as five finger, is a common native tree from New Zealand. In the Māori language, it is called 'puahou' or 'whauwhaupaku'. This tree belongs to the plant family Araliaceae.

You can find the five finger tree in many places across New Zealand. It grows widely in forests, bushy areas, and even in gardens on both the North and South Islands. Its leaves are very easy to spot. They are made up of five to seven smaller leaf parts, which is why it's called "five finger"!

What Does the Five Finger Tree Look Like?

The five finger tree is known for its unique leaves. Each leaf is actually made of several smaller leaflets, usually five to seven of them. These leaflets are shaped like an upside-down egg or a wedge. They feel a bit thin but tough, like leather. The edges of the leaflets have rough, saw-like teeth.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of the five finger tree are usually separate, meaning some trees have male flowers and others have female flowers. They grow in groups called umbels. An umbel looks like an umbrella, with many small flower stalks coming from one central point. Each group of flowers can have 10 to 15 tiny flowers.

The flowers are about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide and smell sweet. They have five petals that are white, sometimes with a hint of pink. After the flowers, the tree produces small, fleshy fruits. These fruits are very dark purple and are about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) across. Inside each fruit, there are usually two or three wrinkled seeds.

Where Does the Five Finger Tree Live?

The five finger tree is a very important part of New Zealand's natural environment. It provides a home and food for different native creatures. For example, the caterpillars of a special moth called Declana atronivea love to eat the leaves of the five finger tree. This moth is only found in New Zealand's North Island.