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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. The fruit is freely borne, it is sweet but has little flavour[2]. The orange fruit is about 9mm long x 5mm wide[3][2]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[4][1]. It is said to make an excellent coffee, though the seeds are rather small[2].

Unknown part

Fruit

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the wood, it does not require a mordant[4].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A concoction of boiled leaves and twigs has been used to treat wounds that are not healing[2]. The decoction of the leaves has been drunk in the treatment of kidney troubles[2].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Coprosma robusta. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[3]. Succeeds in most soils[2].

Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[5][3]. Plants are fairly hardy in Essex according to another report, which says that they are worthy shrubs for a woodland garden[2]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3][2]. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning[2].

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][2]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Coprosma robusta. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Coprosma robusta.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Coprosma robusta
Genus
Coprosma
Family
Rubiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    5 x meters
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton ISBN 0-340-508302 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.102.112.12 Knees. S. The New Plantsman. Volume 2, 1995. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1995-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-558229-2 (1991-00-00)
    5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. (1961-00-00)


    Facts about "Coprosma robusta"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRubiaceae +
    Belongs to genusCoprosma +
    Has binomial nameCoprosma robusta +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Fruit +
    Has edible useCoffee + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useKidney + and Vulnerary +
    Has search namecoprosma robusta +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCoprosma robusta +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Coprosma robusta +, Coprosma robusta +, Coprosma robusta +, Coprosma robusta + and Coprosma robusta +