Practical
Plants

Coprosma petriei

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet, but without much flavour[5]. The fruits vary in colour from white to blue or sea-green[5]. The fruit is seldom borne in Britain[4]. The fruit is about 12mm wide[3]. 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]. A dense carpeting plant, it can be planted about 25cm apart to form a ground cover[4]. The cultivar 'Violet Drops' is much more vigorous than the type, forming compact mats up to 2 metres across and making a very good ground cover[5].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland to higher montane grassland, 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[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

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[3]. Succeeds in most soils, so long as they are well-drained[5]. This plant has survived very dry conditions with us and appears to be very drought tolerant[K]. One of the hardiest members of this genus, it succeeds outdoors in the rock garden in many parts of the country[1]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3][5], though it does not seem to cross with C. pumila, C. atropurpurea or any red-fruited species[5]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[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. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  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

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