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Coprosma brunnea - (Kirk.)Cheesem.

Common Name
Family Rubiaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowland to higher montane river beds, open grassland and rubbley places on North, South and Stewart Islands[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Coprosma brunnea


Coprosma brunnea

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Coprosma brunnea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from September to October. 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

C. brunnea. (Kirk.)Cheesem.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Coffee

Fruit - raw[128]. Sweet, but with little flavour[225]. The fruit is white or blue and up to 8mm long x 6mm wide[200, 225]. The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute[153].

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.


None known

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]. An excellent medium-height ground cover[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

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, so long as they are well-drained[225]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[200]. Somewhat intolerant of frost[200], this species is hardy at Kew but it prefers milder winters[11]. It does not succeed in the colder areas of the country[11]. Fruits are freely produced in Ireland[11]. Does well on a sunny ledge in the rock garden[11, 182]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200, 225], especially C. petriei[225]. There are several named forms, selected for their ornamental value[225]. 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[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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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

Coming Soon

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 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 robusta Shrub5.0 8-11  LMSNM111
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

(Kirk.)Cheesem.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

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Subject : Coprosma brunnea  
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