Practical
Plants

Hoheria populnea

Lacebark

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Hoheria genus in the family Malvaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Genus
Hoheria
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
5 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Demulcent, ophthalmic[12].

Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very strong fibre is obtained from the inner bark[5]. It is used for making ropes, cord etc[10][12]. The fibre is also used as ornamentation in basket making and for bonnets etc[5]. Wood - white, very tough. Used by cabinet makers, it also makes an excellent fuel[5].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Coastal to lowland forests, by river banks and on woodland edges in North Islands south to latitude 38°s[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates freely[7]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a shady position in a frame. The cuttings should be put in 12cm pots. A fair to good percentage[13]. Layering in April. Takes 12 months[13].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Grows in any good, well-drained soil[1]. Requires a position in full sun[6] or dappled shade[7], succeeding in acid or alkaline soils[6]. Plants grown in a soil that is overly rich produce a lot of sappy growth that is more susceptible to frost damage[7]. Withstands strong winds but is best if given protection from cold north-easterly winds[7]. Another report says that it requires a position sheltered from strong winds[3]. Prefers a moist atmosphere[3]. Prefers a maritime climate[7]. Plants grow best in an open clearing in a woodland garden[7]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the milder areas of the country[1][2][11], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[6]. Plants are prone to damage at temperatures lower than -5°c[7]. A very variable plant[2], leaves of young plants are often deeply lobed but on older plants they are more or less entire and toothed[4][6]. Juvenile plants also have a compact shrubby habit, quite unlike the mature plant[7]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[8]. Plants are subject to attacks by the coral-spot fungus, especially after cool wet summers[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. A good butterfly plant[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 5. 1983 - 1984. Royal Horticultural Society 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  9. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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