Coprosma pumila

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

Coprosma pumila is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. 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.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Higher montane to sub-alpine grassland, North, South and Stewart Islands.

Australia, New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet, but with little flavour. The orange-red fleshy fruit is about 7mm in diameter, though forms with fruits up to 13mm have been seen. The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute.

Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

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

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade. Prefers a permanent moist and peaty soil, but it is not an easy plant to grow in Britain. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain. Another report says that it is fully hardy in Britain. Closely related to C. atropurpurea and often confused with that species. It is a very variable plant, hybridizing freely with other members of this genus. 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. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, it could be a part of C. petriei.

Propagating it: Seed - probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame. Sow stored seed in spring in a cold frame. Germination can be slow, often taking more than 12 months even when fresh seed is used. 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. perpusilla. Colenso. C. repens. non A.Rich.