Flora of New Zealand Series

Panax arboreum var. laetum Kirk Stud. Fl. 1899, 219.

Nothopanax laetum (Kirk) Cheesem. in T.N.Z.I. 54, 1923, 568.

Type locality: Upper valley of Kauaeranga River, Thames. Type: W, Kirk Herb., Kirk.

Dioec. shrub or tree up to 5 m. or more tall, glab. in all parts. Lvs 5-7-foliolate, on purplish red petioles up to 25 cm. long, stipulately sheathing at base; lflts green above, paler below, on short stout petiolules or subsessile, thick and coriac., midribs and lateral veins evident above and below; lamina obovate- to cuneate-oblong, coarsely dentate-serrate in upper half, acute or acuminate to subacute; terminal lflt c. 12-25 × 5-10 cm. or more. Umbels compound, terminal, fls sts subracemosely disposed on secondary rays. Primary rays c. 10-15, secondary c. 15-20. Calyx truncate or obscurely 5-toothed; petals ovate-oblong; ovary 2-loculed, 2-ovuled, style-branches 2, spreading. Fr. somewhat compressed, 5 mm. or more diam.

DIST.: N. Coromandel Peninsula to Taranaki.