Practical
Plants

Coprosma atropurpurea

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rubiaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw[3]. Sweet, but with little flavour[225, K]. The wine-red fruit is about 8 - 12mm in diameter[4][5]. The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute[2].

Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the wood, it does not require a mordant[2].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland to higher montane regions in tussock grass, stream margins, rocky places and dry river beds on North and South Islands[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame[K]. Sow stored seed in spring in a cold frame[4]. Germination can be slow, often taking more than 12 months even when fresh seed is used[K]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors[K]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Division of suckers[5].

Cultivation

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[4]. Succeeds in most soils, so long as they are well-drained[5]. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain[4]. Another report says that it is quite hardy in Britain[5]. Closely related to C. pumila, and often confused with that species[5]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4][5]. This species is often confused with C. petriei[1][6], though it is quite distinct and does not hybridise with that species[5]. Plants are normally dioecious, though in some species the plants produce a few flowers of the opposite sex before the main flowering and a few hermaphrodite flowers are sometimes produced[5]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

References

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

    ↩

  2. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩1↩2

  3. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Knees. S. The New Plantsman. Volume 2, 1995. Royal Horticultural Society 1995-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

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

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page