# Manual of the New Zealand Flora/Araliaceæ

Additions and Corrections
Order XXXIV. ARALIACEÆ.
Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs. Leaves alternate or very rarely opposite, simple or digitately or pinnately divided, often large; stipules adnate to the base of the petiole or wanting. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or polygamous or diœcious, usually arranged ​in simple or compound umbels, less often in racemes or panicles. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary; limb truncate or toothed or almost obsolete. Petals usually 5, seldom 4 or more than 5, valvate or slightly imbricate. Stamens as many as the petals, and inserted with them round the margin of an epigynous disc; filaments usnally inflexed. Ovary superior, 2- to many-celled, rarely 1-celled; styles as many as the cells, free or connate; ovules solitary, pendulous, anatropous. Fruit drupaceous, indebiscent; epicarp usually succulent; cells 2 to many, 1-seeded. Seeds pendulous; testa membranous; albumen copious, fleshy; embryo minute, radicle next the hilum.
An order very closely allied to Umbelliferæ, principally differing in the arborescent habit, valvate petals, ovary usually more than 2-celled, and succulent fruit. The species are mainly tropical or subtropical, few of them extending into the temperate zones. Genera 40; species about 350. The properties of the order are unimportant. Of the 6 genera found in New Zealand, Stilbocarpa and Pseudopanax are endemic; Aralia mainly belongs to the north temperate zone, Meryta and Schefflera are chiefly Polynesian, while Panax has a wide range in the Old World.
* The New Zealand species herbaceous, with broad orbicular-reniform leaves. Petals imbricate. :
| Fruit globose, cup-shaped or hollowed at the top | 1. Stilbocarpa. |
| Fruit globose, not hollowed at the top | 2. Aralia. |
| ** Shrubs or trees. Petals valvate. Stamens equal in number to the petals. ||
| Leaves simple or digitate. Ovary 2-celled, rarely 3-4-celled. Styles distinct, recurved at the apex | 3. Panax. |
| Leaves simple, very large. Flowers paniculate | 4. Meryta. |
| Leaves digitate. Umbels small, racemed on the branches of a large spreading panicle | 5. Schefflera. |
| Leaves simple or digitately divided. Ovary usually 5-celled. Styles very short, connate into a cone or column | 6. Pseudopanax. |
1. STILBOCARPA, A. Gray.
A stout much-branched herb; stem fistulose. Leaves large, orbicular or reniform, setose; petiole with broad membranous stipuliform sheaths. Umbels 3 or 4 times compound, forming a large globose head 6–9 in. diam.; involucral bracts foliaceous. Flowers polygamous, jointed on the top of the pedicel. Calyx-tube 3–4-grooved; limb obsolete. Petals 5, obovate, obtuse, imbricate in the bud. Stamens 5; anthers ovate. Disc fleshy, annular, 3–4-lobed. Ovary 3–4-celled; styles as many as the cells, recurved. Fruit globose, depressed and hollow at the summit, obscurely 3–4-grooved, dry and corky, covered with a black and shining epidermis, 3–4-celled. Seeds as many as the cells.
A monotypic genus, confined to the islands immediately to the south of New Zealand. It is chiefly separated from Aralia by the hollow axis of the fruit, which gives the summit a peculiar cup-shaped appearance.
​1. S. polaris, A. Gray, Bot. U.S. Expl. Exped. 714.—Forming large rounded masses 3–5 ft. in diam., more or less bristly in all its parts. Rhizome prostrate, 2–3 ft. long, thick and fleshy, annulate. Stems much branched below, stout, 1–1½ in. diam., grooved, succulent, with a heavy rank smell when bruised. Leaves bright-green, 9–18 in. diam., orbicular-reniform, thick and fleshy, bristly on both surfaces, plaited or rugose, margins many-lobed and sharply toothed, veins flabellate; petiole 12–24 in. long, erect, semi-terete; sheath amplexicaul, produced above into a leafy lobed or laciniate membranous ligule. Umbels large, terminal and axillary, compound. Flowers very numerous, ¼ in. diam., waxy-yellow with a purplish centre, shining. Fruit the size of a small peppercorn, globose with a flattened and hollowed apex, black, brilliantly shining.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 100; Kirk, Students Fl. 215. Aralia polaris, Homb. et Jacq. Voy. au Pole Sud, Bot. t. 2, Phanerog.; Hook.f. Fl. Antarct. i. 19; Ic. Plant. t. 747.
Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, and Macquarie Islands: Not uncommon. December–January.
2. ARALIA, Linn.
Perennial herbs or shrubs, glabrous or setose or prickly. Leaves alternate, rarely simple, usually digitate or pinnate or pinnately decompound. Umbels solitary or in racemes or panicles, rarely compound; pedicels usually jointed under the flowers. Flowers polygamo-monœcious. Calyx-margin truncate or 5-toothed. Petals 5, slightly imbricate. Stamens 5. Ovary 2–5-celled; styles 2–5, free or connate at the base, at length spreading. Fruit 3–5-celled and 3–5-angular, or subglobose and 2–3-celled.
A well-known genus of about 30 species, mainly natives of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from Malaya and India to Japan and North America.
1. A. Lyallii, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 295.—A stout herb 1–4 ft. high, often forming extensive patches. Rhizome prostrate or arcuate, creeping. Stems stout, as thick as the little finger, pilose. Leaves radical, crowded, 6–18 in. diam. or more, orbicular-reniform, lobed and deeply toothed, usually glabrous and shining above, more or less clothed with soft bristles beneath; petiole terete, fistulose, with a broad membranous sheathing ligule at the base. Umbels large, compound, forming globose masses 6–12 in. diam. Flowers monœcious or polygamous, ¼ in. diam., reddish-purple. Calyx-margin truncate. Petals 5, linear or linear-oblong. Ovary 2-celled, crowned by two broad and fleshy stylopodia; styles 2, free. Fruit globose, 1/6 in. diam., 2-celled, black and shining; seeds 1 in each cell.—Students Fl. 216. Stilbocarpa Lyallii, Armst. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiii. (1881) 336.
​South Island: Coal Island, Preservation Inlet, Kirk! Stewart Island and adjacent islets, Lyall, Petrie! Kirk! Var. robusta: The Snares, Kirk! Punui. December–February.
Has precisely the habit of Stilbocarpa polaris, and in a flowerless state may easily be taken for it. The leaves are less fleshy and coriaceous, and want the bristles on the upper surface; the petioles are terete; the flowers reddish, with narrower petals; the ovary 2-celled, crowned with the very evident stylopodia; and the fruit is not hollowed at the apex.
3. PANAX, Linn.
Evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves simple or more usually digitately or pinnately divided. Flowers polygamous or diœcious, jointed at the top of the pedicels, umbellate; umbels simple or compound, variously arranged. Calyx-limb entire or 5-toothed. Petals 5, valvate. Stamens 5. Ovary 2- or rarely 3–4-celled; styles free or connate at the base, their tips free, usually recurved. Fruit compressed or nearly globose, 2–4-celled, exocarp succulent or coriaceous; seeds 1 in each cell.
Species between 30 and 40, mainly Australasian, Polynesian, and Malayan, but extending to central Asia and tropical Africa. The New Zealand species are all endemic
| * Leaves of both old and young plants simple. |
| Leaves of young plants narrow-linear, 5–10 in. long; of old plants linear or lanceolate, 2–3 in. | 1. P. lineare. |
| ** Leaves of old plants simple; of young ones 3–5-foliolate. |
| Leaflets 2–5 in., lanceolate, serrate. Styles 2 | 2. P. simplex. |
| Leaflets 2–8 in., oblong-lanceolate, entire. Styles 3–4 | 3. P. Edgerleyi. |
| Leaflets small, ⅓–⅔ in., orbicular or obovate. Styles 2 | 4. P. anomalum. |
| *** Leaves of old plants 3–5- or 7-foliolate. |
| Leaves 3–5-foliolate; petioles not sheathing. Umbels small. Fruit compressed | 5. P. Sinclairii. |
| Leaves 3–5-foliolate; petioles sheathing; leaflets sessile, veins indistinct. Umbels large, compound | 6. P. Colensoi. |
| Leaves 5–7-foliolate; petioles sheathing; leaflets stalked, veins obvious. Umbels very large, compound | 7. P. arboreum. |
1. P. lineare, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 93.—A small sparingly branched shrub 5–10 ft. high; branches spreading, stout and woody, bearing numerous simple or trifid coriaceous scales mixed with the leaves. Leaves of young trees crowded, ascending, simple, 5–10 in. long, 1/5–1/3 in. wide, narrow-linear, acute, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, remotely and obscurely sinuate-serrate, excessively thick and coriaceous, midrib and margins thickened. Leaves of mature trees 2–4 in. long, ½–¾ in. wide, linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse or acute, obscurely serrate, very thick and coriaceous, midrib and margins thickened; petiole short, 1/8–1/6 in. long, jointed on to the branch. Flowers small, diœcious. Umbels usually terminal, but occasionally axillary as well, compound, shorter than the leaves; rays 3–7, bracteolate. Ovary 3–5-celled; styles the same number as ​the cells, connate at the base, free and recurved at the tips. Fruit broadly ovoid, 3–5-celled and -seeded.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 101; Kirk, Students' Fl. 217.
South Island: Subalpine forests from Nelson to Preservation Inlet, chiefly on the western side of the island. 2500–4000 ft. January–February.
2. P. simplex, Forst. Prodr. n. 399.—A shrub or small tree 8–25 ft. high, everywhere smooth and glabrous. Leaves excessively variable, polymorphous; of very young plants either ovate or broadly ovate, serrate, or 3–5-foliolate with the leaflets deeply lobed or pinnatifid: both these states are succeeded by 3-foliolate leaves with lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate sharply serrate leaflets. Leaves of mature trees 1-foliolate, variable in size, 2–5 in. long, lanceolate to oblong- or obovate-lanceolate, coriaceous and glossy, acute or acuminate, rarely obtuse, sharply serrate or nearly entire; petiole 1–3 in. long, jointed at the top. Umbels small, shorter than the leaves, axillary or terminal, irregularly compound; secondary umbels 8-16-flowered, the terminal one usually female, the lateral male. Flowers small, greenish-white. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, free to the base, recurved. Fruit 1/8 in. diam., orbicular, compressed; seeds 2.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 280, t. 31; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 509; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 18, t. 12; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 93; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 100; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 106, 107; Students' Fl. 217.
Var. quercifolium, Kirk, l.c.—Leaves of mature plants 1-foliolate, 3–5 long, lanceolate, deeply lobulate or pinnatifid.—Forest Fl. t. 106, f. 2.
Var. parvum, Kirk, l.c.—Leaves of mature plants 1-foliolate, ¾–1 in. long acute or subacute, crenate or serrate. Umbels few-flowered.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands: From the Thames Goldfields southwards, but local north of the East Cape. Var. quercifolium: Canterbury—Upper Waimakariri, Enys! Var. parvum: Various localities from Nelson to Stewart Island, Kirk! Petrie! H. J. Matthews! T. F. C. Sea-level to over 4000 ft. Haumakaroa. November–January.
3. P. Edgerleyi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 94.—A small graceful tree 20–40 ft. high; trunk 12–18 in. diam. Leaves very aromatic, bright glossy green, smooth and shining, membranous, dimorphic: of mature plants 1-foliolate; petiole jointed to the blade, slender, 1–3 in. long; blade 2–8 in., oblong- or obovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acute or acuminate, quite entire: of young plants 3–5-foliolate with the leaflets deeply and irregularly lobed or pinnatifid. Umbels small, ½–¾ in. diam., 10–12-flowered, in slender axillary or lateral panicles 1–2 in. long. Flowers small, greenish-white. Ovary 3–4-celled; styles as many as the cells, connate at the base. Fruit 1/8 in. diam., globose; seeds 3–4.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 101; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 44; Students' Fl. 217. Raukana Edgerleyi, Seem. Journ. Bot. iv. (1866) 352.
Var. serratum, Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 45.—Leaves of mature plants with the margins serrated or lobulate.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Not uncommon in hilly forests from Hokianga southwards. Var. serratumn: Stewart Island, Kirk! Sea-level to 2500 ft. Raukawa; Koare. January–February.
The Maoris formerly mixed the fragrant leaves with fat or oil, which was then used for anointing the person.
4. P. anomalum, Hook. in Lond. Journ. Bot. ii. (1843) 422, t. 12.—A much-branched shrub 5–12 ft. high; branches spreading at right angles, younger ones usually clothed with small bristly scales. Leaves of young plants 3-foliolate; petioles long, slender, winged; leaflets jointed on to the petiole, stipellate at the base, elliptic-ovate or orbicular-ovate, sometimes lobed, toothed or crenate, usually membranous. Leaves of mature plants 1-foliolate; petiole very short, seldom more than 1/8 long; leaflet ⅓–⅔ in. long, orbicular or oblong-orbicular, rarely narrower and oblong-obovate, rounded at the tip, obscurely crenate, rather coriaceous, usually with minute linear stipellae at the base. Umbels small, simple, axillary, 2–8-flowered; peduncles very short. Flowers minute, greenish. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, free. Fruit 1/8–1/6 in. diam., orbicular, much compressed, 2-celled, mottled.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 93; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 101; Kirk, Students' Fl. 218.
Var. microphyllum, Kirk, l.c.—Smaller and more slender. Leaves smaller, 1/5–1/3 in. long, obovate-lanceolate to broadly obovate, sinuate-crenate.—P. microphyllum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 328.
North and South Islands: Not uncommon in woods from Mongonui and Kaitaia southwards, ascending to 2500 ft. Wauwaupaku. December–February.
A very curious plant, with the habit of Melicytus micranthus or Melicope simplex, quite unlike a Panax. Mr. Colenso's P. microphyllum is the common form south of the Waikato, but it differs little from the type.
5. P. Sinclairii, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 103.—A branching shrub or small tree 6–15 ft. high. Leaves 3–5-foliolate; petioles 2–3 in. long, slender, not sheathing at the base; leaflets sessile or very shortly stalked, 1–3 in. long, obovate- or oblong-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, dull-green, coriaceous, sharply serrate; veins obscure. Umbels small, unisexual, axillary or terminal, 3–10-flowered or more, on simple or branched peduncles 1–1½ in. long; pedicels short. Calyx minutely 5-toothed. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, short, recurved. Fruit orbicular, compressed, 2-celled, 1/8–1/6 in. diam.—Kirk, Students Fl. 219.
North Island: Thames Goldfields, Adams! Te Aroha, Pirongia and Karioi Mountains, T. F. C.; Opepe, Taupo, Kirk! East Cape, Sinclair; Ruahine Mountains, Colenso; Mount Egmont, Buchanan! T. F. C. 1000–3500 ft. January–February.
Very closely allied to P. simplex, from which it is chiefly separated by the leaves being 3–5-foliolate, never 1-foliolate.
​6. P. Colensoi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. 94, t. 21.—A glabrous shrub or small tree, 5–15 ft. high; branches stout, spreading. Leaves 3–5-foliolate; petioles 2–9 in. long, with a stout 2-lobed sheathing base; leaflets 2–6 in., obovate- or oblong-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, sessile or shortly petioled, coarsely serrate, thick and coriaceous, smooth and glossy, veins usually indistinct. Flowers diœcious. Umbels large, compound, terminal, similar to those of P. arboreum but smaller and with fewer primary rays; secondary rays ½–1 in. long, pedicels short. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, slightly connate at the base, tips spreading, recurved. Fruit orbicular, 1/5 in. diam., much compressed, 2-celled, purplish-black.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 102; Kirk, Students' Fl. 218.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: In hilly or mountainous districts from the Little Barrier Island and Cape Colville southwards. Usually from 1500–4500 ft., but descending to sea-level on Stewart Island. December–February.
Very closely allied to P. arboreum, but the leaves are 3–5-foliolate (not 5–7-foliolate), the leaflets are sessile or nearly so, and the veins are usually indistinct.
7. P. arboreum, Forst. Prodr. n. 398.—A small much-branched round-headed tree 12–25 ft. high; branches stout, brittle. Leaves digitately 5–7-foliolate; petioles stout, 2–10 in. long, with a broad 2-robed sheath at the base; leaflets 3–7 in., on petioles ½–1 in. long, broad- or narrow-oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse or acute, serrate or sinuate-serrate, coriaceous, smooth and shining, veins distinct. Umbels large, terminal, compound, diœcious; primary rays 8–12, radiating, 2–4 in. long; secondary 10–20, ½–1½ in. long, each bearing a 10—15-flowered umbel; pedicels short, slender. Flowers ¼ in. diam. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, connate at the base, tips free, recurved. Fruit broader than long, compressed, ¼–⅓ in. diam., purplish-black, 2-celled; seeds 1 in each cell.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 281; A Cunn. Precur. n. 510; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook, in Lond. Journ. Bot. ii. (1843) 421, t. 11; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 94; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 102; Kirk, Students' Fl. 219.
Var. lætum, Kirk, l.c.—Leaflets much larger, 7–10 in. long, 3–4 in. broad, broadly ovate-lanceolate or obovate, abruptly acuminate, coarsely serrate or dentate.
Kermadec Islands, North and South Islands.—Abundant in lowland districts throughout. Var. lætum; Thames Goldfields, Kirk! T. F. C. Sea-level to 1500 ft. Whauwhau-paku. June–July.
4. MERYTA, Forst.
Small glabrous trees, usually more or less resinous. Leaves large, alternate, simple, coriaceous. Flowers diœcious, in terminal panicles. Male flowers: Calyx-limb obsolete or minutely 3-5-toothed. Petals 4–5, valvate. Stamens 4–5; filaments rather long; anthers ovate-oblong. Females: Calyx-limb obsolete. Petals 4–5, small. Ovary 4- to many-celled; styles thick, distinct ​or slightly connate at the base, their tips at length recurved. Fruit broadly oblong or nearly globose; endocarp succulent; cells 3–6, 1-seeded. Seeds compressed.
A small genus of from 10 to 15 species, most abundant in New Caledonia, but extending eastwards to Tahiti and southwards to Norfolk Island and New Zealand. The single species found in New Zealand is endemic.
1. M. Sinclairii, Seem. in Bonplandia, x. (1862) 295.—A very handsome round-headed small tree 8–25 ft. high; trunk 6–18 in. diam.; branches stout, brittle. Leaves very large, crowded towards the ends of the branches; petiole stout, 4–15 in. long; blade 10–20 in. long or more, oblong-obovate or oblong, obtuse, slightly cordate at the base, very coriaceous, smooth and shining, strongly veined; margins entire, slightly undulate, bordered with a stout vein. Panicles stout, erect, terminal, 6–18 in. long; branches jointed on the rhachis. Male flowers sessile in clusters of 4–8, with a broad bract at the base of each cluster. Calyx-limb obsolete. Petals 4, ovate-oblong. Stamens 4; filaments slender, exserted. Female flowers irregularly crowded, with a bract at the base of each. Calyx as in the males. Petals 4–5, ovate-triangular. Abortive stamens present. Styles 4–5, free to the base. Fruit ⅓–½ in. long, broadly oblong, succulent, black and shining, 4–5-celled. Seeds solitary in each cell, compressed, bony.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 104; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 121; Students' Fl. 220. Botryodendrum Sinclairii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 97.
North Island: Three Kings Islands, T. F. C; Hen and Chickens (Taranga Islands), Hutton and Kirk! T. F. C. Puka. February–May.
The specimens on which Sir Joseph Hooker founded the species were obtained from a solitary tree planted by the Maoris at Paparaumu, in Whangaruru Harbour; but it is not known in an indigenous state on any part of the mainland, and must be considered one of the rarest species of the New Zealand flora. The Maoris state that it exists on the Poor Kiaights Islands, between Whangarei and the Bay of Islands, but I have seen no specimens from thence.
5. SCHEFFLERA, Forst.
Glabrous shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, digitately compound; leaflets serrulate. Flowers polygamous, in small umbels arranged in a racemose manner on the branches of a spreading panicle; pedicels not articulate. Calyx-limb minutely 5-toothed. Petals 5, valvate. Stamens 5. Disc large, with undulate margins. Ovary 5–10-celled; styles the same number as the cells, connate below, free and spreading above. Fruit subglobose, 5–10-celled; exocarp fleshy; seeds 1 in each cell.
In addition to the single New Zealand species, which is endemic, there are one or two in the Fiji Islands, and several in New Caledonia.
1. S. digitata, Forst. Char. Gen. 46.—A small tree 10–25 ft. high, with stout spreading branches. Leaves on sheathing petioles 4–9 in. long, digitately 7–10-foliolate; leaflets 3–7 in., petiolate, ​oblong- or obovate-lanceolate, acuminate, thin and membranous finely and sharply serrate, in young plants often irregularly lobulate or pinnatifid Panicles axillary or from the branches below the leaves, 8–12 in. long; branches numerous, long, spreading at right angles Flowers small, greenish, ¼–⅓ in. diam., in 4–8-flowered umbels arranged in a racemose manner along the branches of the panicle; peduncles ½ in. long; pedicels ¼ in. Fruit globose, 1/10–1/8 in. diam., juicy, grooved when dry.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 103; Kirk, Students Fl. 220. S. Cunninghamii, Miq. in Linnæa xviii. (1844) 89. Aralia Schefflera, Spreng. Pl. Pugill. i. 28; A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 283; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 513; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i 95, t. 22.
North and South Islands: Abundant in woods from the North Cape to Stewart Island, ascending to nearly 3000ft. Pate; Patete. February–March.
6. PSEUDOPANAX, C. Koch.
Glabrous shrubs or small trees. Leaves extremely variable, simple or digitately compound, those of young plants often widely different from those of mature trees; leaflets coriaceous, entire or more or less toothed or serrate. Flowers diœcious, in racemose or paniculate umbels. Calyx-limb entire or toothed. Petals 5, valvate. Stamens 5; anthers ovate or oblong. Ovary 5-celled; styles the same number, very short, connate into a short cone or column. Fruit fleshy, subglobose, ribbed when dry, 5-ceIled; seeds 1 in each cell.
As characterized above, the genus contains 6 species, all confined to New Zealand. It is mainly distinguished from Panax by the 5-celled ovary and 5 styles the latter being very short and connate into a minute cone or column. It would form a much more natural group if it were limited to P. crassifolium, P. ferox, and P. chathanicum, together with Panax lineare, which in several respects is closely allied to P. crassifolium, and which occasionally has a 5-celled ovary.
* Leaves of young plants not markedly different from those of old ones. :
| Bronzy or yellow-green. Leaves 3–5-foliolate; leaflets sharply toothed, veined | 1. P. discolor. |
| Dark-green. Leaves 3–5-foliolate; leaflets entire or sinuate-serrate, veins obscure. | 2. P. Lessonii. |
| Dark-green. Leaves mostly 1-foliolate, with a few 3-foliolate ones intermixed | 3. P. Gilliesii. |
| ** Leaves of young plants altogether different from those of old ones. ||
| Leaves of young trees deflexed, with short distant teeth. Fruit small, 1/5 in. diam. | 4. P. crassifolium. |
| Leaves of young trees deflexed, with broad lobulate hooked teeth. Fruit large, oblong, ⅓ in. long | 5. P. ferox. |
| Leaves of young trees never deflexed. Fruit large, globose, ⅓ in. diam. | 6. P. chathamicum. |
1. P. discolor, Cheesem.—A much-branched shrub 6–15 ft. high. Leaves bronzy or yellow-green, 3–5-foliolate, often with 1-foliolate leaves intermixed; petioles slender, 1–3 in. long; leaflets 1½–3 in. ​obovate to obovate-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, narrowed at the base, acute or acuminate, glossy and coriaceous, sharply serrate. Umbels terminal; male of 4–10 slender rays 2–3 in. long, bearing numerous racemose flowers on pedicels 1/8–1/4 in. long; females (or hermaphrodite?) of much shorter rays ¾–2 in. long terminating in 2–6-flowered umbellules. Flowers 1/6 in. diam. Ovary 5-celled; styles 5, connate at the base, very short, tips erect or slightly recurved. Fruit ¼ in. long, broadly oblong, 5-celled.—Panax discolor, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 178. P. discolorum, Students' Fl. 219.
North Island: Auckland—Whangaroa North, Great Barrier Island, and Omaha, Kirk! Little Barrier Island, Kirk, Shakespear! T. F. C; Thames Goldfields, Kirk! Adams! T. F. C. Sea-level to 2800 ft. December–January.
The ovary-cells and styles are very exceptionally less than 5, and the species certainly falls into Pseudopanax as that genus is characterized in the "Genera Plantarum." Its nearest ally is P. Lessonii.
2. P. Lessonii, C. Koch in Wochenschrift, ii. (1859) 336.—A glabrous much-branched shrub or small tree 8–20 ft. high; branches robust. Leaves dark-green, 3–5-foliolate; petioles stout, 2–6 in. long, not sheathing at the base; leaflets 1–4 in., sessile, obovate- or oblong-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, entire or sinuateserrate, smooth and shining, very thick and coriaceous; veins indistinct. Umbels terminal, compound; males with 4–8 primary rays 1–6 in. long, each ending in 4–10 secondary rays bearing numerous racemose flowers; females with shorter and fewer raysand less numerous flowers, not so conspicuously racemose. Flowers 1/5 in. diam. Ovary 5-celled; styles 5, very short, connate at the base, their tips at length recurved. Fruit broadly oblong, ¼ in. long, 5-celled.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 221. Panax Lessonii, D.C. Prodr. iv. 253; Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 102. Cussonia Lessonii, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 285, t. 32; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 511; Raoul, Choix, 46. Hedera Lessonii, A. Gray, Bot. U.S. Expl. Exped. 719.
North Island: From the Three Kings Islands and the North Cape to Poverty Bay, usually near the coast. Houmapara; Houpara. January–February.
3. P. Gilliesii, T. Kirk, Students' Fl. 221.—A shrub or small tree 10–15 ft. high; branches slender. Leaves mostly 1-foliolate, mixed with a few 3-foliolate ones; petiole slender, ½–1 in. long; blade 1½–2½ in., variable in shape, ovate to ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, acute or acuminate, coarsely sinuate-toothed, rather coriaceous. Flowers long past in all the specimens seen, but apparently arranged in a racemose manner on numerous terminal peduncles 2–4 in. long; pedicels ½–1 in. Fruit ¼ in. long, broadly oblong, 5-celled; styles 5, very short, connate, free at the very tip.
North Island: Auckland—Whangaroa North, Buchanan! Gillies and Kirk!
I have seen but few specimens of this curious plant, which may be nothing more than a variety of P. Lessonii.
​4. P. crassifolium, C. Koch in Wochenschrift, ii. (1859) 336.—A small round-headed tree 20–50 ft. high; trunk naked below, 9–l8 in. diam. Leaves excessively variable, differing greatly at various stages of growth, the following being the chief forms: (1) of seedlings, rhomboid to ovate-lanceolate, cuneate at the base, coarsely toothed or lobed, membranous; (2) of young unbranched plants, deflexed, very narrow linear, 6–36 in. long, ¼–½ in. wide, remotely and acutely toothed, excessively rigid and coriaceous, dull-green above, often purplish below; (3) in a more advanced stage, during which the stem commences to branch and flowers may appear, the leaves are erect or spreading, and may be either (a) 1-foliolate, 6–12 in. long, ½–1½ in. wide, linear or linear-obovate, coarsely and acutely toothed, very coriaceous; or (b) 3–5-foliolate with sessile leaflets 6–12 in. long by ½–¾ in. wide, coarsely and remotely toothed; (4) in the mature stage the leaves are 1-foliolate, 3–8 in. long, 1–1½ in. wide, linear to linear-oblong or linear-obovate, obtuse or subacute, narrowed into stout petioles ½–1 in. long, entire, sinuate-serrate or coarsely toothed at the tip. Umbels terminal, compound; primary rays 4–10, 2–3 in. long; secondary 4–10, ½–1 in. long; flowers racemose or umbelled; pedicels short. Ovary 5-celled or rarely 4-celled by abortion; styles the same number as the cells, connate into a cone. Fruit globose, 1/5 in. diam.—Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 38, 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d; Students' Fl. 222. Aralia crassifolia, Sol. ex A. Cunn. Precur. n. 514; Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 583, 584; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 96. Panax crassifoliiim, Dcne. and Planch. in Rev. Hort. (1854) 105; Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 101; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) app. xxxiii. P. longissinmm, Hook. f. l.c. 102. P. coriaceum, Regel in Gartenfl. (1859) 45. Hedera crassifolia, A. Gray, Bot. U.S. Expl. Exped. 719.
Var. a, unifoliolatum, Kirk, Forest Fl. 61.—Leaves of the third stage 1-foliolate.
Var. b, trifollolatum, Kirk, l.c.—Leaves of the third stage 3–5-foliolate.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Var. a abundant from Auckland southwards; var. b from the North Cape to Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Horoeka; Hohoeka; Lancewood. February–April.
Remarkable for its singularly protean foliage. For a detailed account reference should be made to Kirk's "Forest Flora," pp. 59 to 62; and to a paper by the same botanist in the "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," vol. X. app. xxxi.
5. P. ferox, T. Kirk, Forest Fl. 35, t. 23, 24, 25, 26.—A small slender tree 12–20 ft. high; trunk 6–12 in. diam. Leaves very variable, but always simple; of seedlings narrow linear-lanceolate; of young unbranched plants deflexed, 12–18 in. long, ½–1 in. wide, narrow-linear, slightly enlarged at the tip, gradually narrowed mto a short stout petiole, excessively thick and coriaceous, rigid, coarsely and irregularly lobulate-dentate; teeth large, acute, hooked, almost ​spinous. Leaves of mature plants erect, 3–6 in. long, ¼–¾ in. broad, linear-obovate, obtuse or apicuiate, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, very thick and coriaceous, entire or obscurely toothed near the tip. Umbels terminal; males of 6–10 slender rays bearing numerous racemose flowers; females of much shorter rays ending in 2–4-flowered umbellules. Stamens usually 4. Ovary 5-celled; styles 5, short, connate into a column. Fruit broadly oblong, large, ⅓ in. diam.—Students' Fl. 222. Panax ferox, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) app. xxxiv. P. crassifolium, Buch. l.c. ix. (1877) 529, t. 20 (not Dcne. and Planch.).
North Island: Between Whangape and Hokianga, Kirk! East Cape, Bishop Williams. South Island: Nelson—Wairoa, Hector and Kirk! Moutere and Matukituki, Kirk; Motueka Valley, T. F. C. Canterbury—Lake Forsyth, Kirk! Otago—Dunedin, Buchanan! Petrie! Otepopo and Lake Wakatipu, Petrie! Sea-level to 1500 ft.
Easily distinguished from P. crassifolium by the large and broad-hooked teeth of the deflexed leaves, by the slender racemes of the male flowers, and by the large fruit.
6. P. chathamicum, T. Kirk, Students Fl. 223.—A small tree 20–25 ft. high; branches stout. Leaves dimorphic, always simple; of young unbranched plants never deflexed, 2–6 in. long, ¾–1¼ in. broad, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, acute, coarsely or finely toothed towards the tip, membranous or slightly coriaceous; of mature plants 5–8 in. long, linear-obovate or oblanceolate, subacute obtuse or truncate at the apex, gradually narrowed into a short winged petiole, obscurely sinuate-dentate or with 2–3 coarse teeth near the apex. Umbels terminal: male very large, of 6–10 primary rays, each with 5–8 slender secondary ones 2–3 in. long, carrying crowded racemose flowers often mixed with small umbellules: female umbels smaller; rays 3–7, slender, 2–4 in. long, terminating in 6–10-flowered umbellules, with or without a few scattered flowers below. Stamens usually 4. Ovary 5-celled; styles 5, connate into a short truncate column. Fruit nearly globose, large, ⅓ in. diam., 5-celled, 5-seeded.
Chatham Islands: Enys! Cox! Hoho. February.
I have seen but few specimens of this, and have consequently availed myself largely of Kirk's description. The absence of deflexed leaves in the young state, the larger and broader leaves of the mature plant, and the large globose fruit at once separate it from P. crassifolium and P. ferox.