Coprosma robusta
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 or cooked[3]. The fruit is freely borne, it is sweet but has little flavour[5]. The orange fruit is about 9mm long x 5mm wide[4][5]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[2][3]. It is said to make an excellent coffee, though the seeds are rather small[5].
- Product or use
- Coffee
- Plant part
- Fruit
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.
A concoction of boiled leaves and twigs has been used to treat wounds that are not healing[5]. The decoction of the leaves has been drunk in the treatment of kidney troubles[5].
- Product or use
- Kidney
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
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[2].
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Lowland forest and shrubland, especially on alluvial soils, on North, South and Chatham Islands, south to latitude 45°south[6][5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- 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[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.
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[4]. Succeeds in most soils[5]. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[1][4]. Plants are fairly hardy in Essex according to another report, which says that they are worthy shrubs for a woodland garden[5]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[5]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4][5]. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning[5]. Plants are normally dioecious, though occasionally the plants produce a few flowers of the opposite sex before the main flowering and a few hermaphrodite flowers are sometimes produced[6][5]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
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