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Project Noah Nature School
Pseudopanax crassifolius
The first photo shows the Juvenile with juvenile foliage. The young leaves are long thin and with a thick cuticle layer, where as the adult leaves are shorter with a thinner cuticle layer. The actual growth habit is different as well as the juvenile has a long single stem which can grow to about 3 or 4 metres. The adult has a multi branching form. My theory is the form was a defense against Moa browsing. The leaves tough and unpalatable untill out of reach. The tree is said to be dimorphic as in two shapes or forms.
Spotted on Dec 13, 2011
Submitted on Dec 13, 2011
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