The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

I found this today in a block of regenerating kanuka. There are various P. crassifolius in the bush, but this one stuck out like a sore thumb. My only thought was that it might be half way between juvenile and mature leaf form, but the leaves are large (350mm x 48mm). brown with a hint of red on the underside of the leaf and dark green on the topside. underside shown. I also have a leaf that I can scan and post.

Hi Malcolm,
There is a huge range in leaf size/shape for juvenile lancewood particularly going from coastal to montane sites. I have seen plants like this in natural settings (S. Is.) so I'll stick my neck out and say it is unlikely to be a hybrid. It could be a garden escape (nursery's are not particular about where they source their growing on stock) but it may just be at the extreme end of the local variation.

Thanks Graeme.