Coprosma robusta
| Coprosma robusta | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 16' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Coprosma robusta
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[1]. 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: Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[1]. Succeeds in most soils[2].
Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[3][1]. 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[1][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[4][2]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Lowland forest and shrubland, especially on alluvial soils, on North, South and Chatham Islands, south to latitude 45°south[4][2].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[5]. The fruit is freely borne, it is sweet but has little flavour[2]. The orange fruit is about 9mm long x 5mm wide[1][2].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[6][5]. It is said to make an excellent coffee, though the seeds are rather small[2].
Medicinal: 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].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the wood, it does not require a mordant[6].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Knees, Sabina. The New Plantsman Volume 2. Royal Horticultural Society, 1995.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brooker, Stanley. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, 1991.