Pseudopanax crassifolius, horoeka or lancewood is endemic to the North, South, and Stewart Islands. It is found from sea level to about 760m asl, and is common in lowland and lower mountain forests and scrublands. It is an easily recognised species, especially in its juvenile stage that can persist from up to 10 or even 20 years, where it has long narrow downward-pointing leaves on usually a single slender stem. The adult lancewood is a round-headed tree up to 15m high with generally a straight, clean, grey-barked trunk up to 50cm in diameter. The characteristic appearance through the growth stages on this tree make it remarkable and unusual addition to any landscape. It is primarily a forest plant, but is extremely tolerant of wind and drought if planted in an open or coastal area. After flowering it produces fruit that will ripen the following year. The purplish-black fruits are an important food source for whitehead, tūī and wood pigeon/ kererū when they occur in autumn and winter. The small, greenish-yellow flowers are pollinated by insects. The wood of the lancewood is extremely hard and was sometimes used for walking sticks.
The name 'lancewood' probably derives from either the small lances evident in the wood when it is split, or from early Māori use of the juvenile tree stems to spear wood pigeons/kererū. South Island Māori pounded lancewood leaves and extracted its long 'hairs' for use in a kind of paint brush that was used to make rock paintings.