Practical
Plants

Coprosma virescens

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Coprosma genus in the family Rubiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rubiaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet, but with little flavour[3]. The white fruit is about 5mm in diameter[3]. The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute[1].

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
Lowland to lower montane forest and shrubland, North and South Islands[4].
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[2]. 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[2]. Succeeds in most soils[3]. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[2]. Another report says that it is proving to be hardy in an Essex garden[3]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2][3]. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning[3]. 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[3]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩

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