Toothed lancewood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toothed lancewood |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Adult tree with a few remnant juvenile leaves | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pseudopanax
|
| Species: |
ferox
|
The toothed lancewood, also known as horoeka, is a special small tree. It grows only in New Zealand. Its scientific name is Pseudopanax ferox. This tree is related to the more common lancewood, Pseudopanax crassifolius. But the toothed lancewood has leaves that look more like sharp teeth.
When the tree is young, its leaves are very dark. They can be grey-brown or grey-green. These young leaves are narrow and stiff. They can grow up to 40 centimeters long. People sometimes call it the "fierce lancewood." This is because its young leaves look like a saw with sharp teeth.
How the Toothed Lancewood Grows
The toothed lancewood grows slowly. It takes about 10 to 15 years to become a grown-up tree. When it's young, it has one main stem. Its leaves point downwards.
Once it becomes an adult, the tree changes a lot. Its leaves become shorter, wider, and dark green. The tree also starts to grow branches. These branches spread out to form a round top. A full-grown toothed lancewood can reach 6 meters tall. Its trunk can be up to 25 centimeters wide. The trunk of a grown tree has special grooves. These grooves run up and down and sometimes twist a little.
Why People Use Toothed Lancewood
The toothed lancewood used to be hard to find in gardens. But now, many people in New Zealand love to plant it. It became very popular after a New Zealand garden won a gold medal. This happened at the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show in the UK.
The tree's unique leaves and young shape are perfect for small spaces. Gardeners often use them with modern buildings. Because it grows slowly and stays fairly small, it's great for small gardens. Not many trees are naturally suited for tiny yards.
Planting Your Toothed Lancewood
If you want to plant a toothed lancewood, choose the right spot. It grows best in soil that drains water well. It can grow in a spot that gets some shade or a lot of sun.
Young trees will have more leaves if they get plenty of sunshine. This tree is usually very strong. It can handle a little bit of frost. Frost might damage the tip, but this can make it grow more branches. The toothed lancewood also does well in dry places. It can even stand up to strong winds.
