Coprosma lucida
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Coprosma genus in the family Rubiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw. Sweet and juicy[2], but with little flavour[4]. Dry weight is 3.3% protein, 8.1% sugar and 24.6% lipids[2]. The orange fruit is about 12mm in diameter[3][4]. The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute[2].
- Product or use
- Coffee
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A yellow dye is obtained from the wood, it does not require a mordant[1].
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Forest and shrubby areas, especially marginal, to the montane zone. Found throughout New Zealand[5][2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[3]. 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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[3]. Succeeds in most soils[4]. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain[3]. Plants have proved to be nearly hardy in an Essex garden[4]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3][4]. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning[4]. Sometimes found as an epiphyte in the wild[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[4]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.
References
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
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Knees. S. The New Plantsman. Volume 2, 1995. Royal Horticultural Society 1995-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00