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Coprosma robusta - Raoul.

Common Name
Family Rubiaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowland forest and shrubland, especially on alluvial soils, on North, South and Chatham Islands, south to latitude 45°south[44, 225].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Coprosma robusta


Coprosma robusta

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Coprosma robusta is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Coffee

Fruit - raw or cooked[173]. The fruit is freely borne, it is sweet but has little flavour[225]. The orange fruit is about 9mm long x 5mm wide[200, 225]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[153, 173]. It is said to make an excellent coffee, though the seeds are rather small[225].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Kidney  Vulnerary

A concoction of boiled leaves and twigs has been used to treat wounds that are not healing[225]. The decoction of the leaves has been drunk in the treatment of kidney troubles[225].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the wood, it does not require a mordant[153].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[200]. Succeeds in most soils[225]. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[1, 200]. Plants are fairly hardy in Essex according to another report, which says that they are worthy shrubs for a woodland garden[225]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[225]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200, 225]. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning[225]. 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[44, 225]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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[200]. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (Chatham Islands Territory, North Island, South Island)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Coprosma acerosaSand CoprosmaShrub0.5 7-10  LMSNM201
Coprosma areolata Shrub5.0 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma atropurpurea Shrub0.1 6-9  LMSNM101
Coprosma billardieriNative CurrantShrub3.0 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma brunnea Shrub0.1 7-10  LMSNM203
Coprosma foetidissima Shrub5.0 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma grandifolia Shrub5.0 8-11  LMSNM111
Coprosma hirtellaRough CoprosmaShrub2.0 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma lucida Shrub5.0 7-10  LMSNM201
Coprosma moorei Shrub0.1 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma nitida Shrub2.0 7-10  LMSNM201
Coprosma petriei Shrub0.1 6-9  LMSNM103
Coprosma propinqua Shrub6.0 6-9  LMSNM102
Coprosma pumila Shrub0.1 6-9  LMSNM101
Coprosma repensMirror Plant, Creeping mirrorplantShrub2.0 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma rhamnoides Shrub2.0 7-10  LMSNM101
Coprosma rotundifolia Shrub2.4 8-11  LMSNM101
Coprosma rugosa Shrub3.0 6-9  LMSNM102
Coprosma serrulata Shrub0.6 7-10  LMSNM101
Coprosma virescens Shrub2.0 7-10  LMSNM101

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Raoul.

Botanical References

44200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Fri Nov 3 2006

Dear Sirs/Madam, l'm quite interested in Coprosma robusta plant as medicinal use, and would like to know that "Coprosma Robusta - Karamu is the right one as Coprosam Robusta as the above mentioned, and what is the quantity preparation for one person. Looking forward to hearing fm you soon. B/regards, flora email: [email protected]

   Jun 6 2012 12:00AM

These small trees are great for our native reveg projects here in NZ, they are very hardy and can withstand strong winds, dry, wet and damp sites, they require full sun to grow well. Very fast growing and they produce lots of berry's for the birds and lizards. Ive had rabbits strip the small trees Ive just planted down to a stick and they have grown back. They also make lovely hedges.

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Subject : Coprosma robusta  
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