Creeping Coprosma, Small mat coprosma
Coprosma pumila
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A small matted shrub which grows along the ground. It spreads 30-100 cm wide. It roots at the nodes. The leaves are 0.5-1 cm long and 0.2-0.3 cm wide. They are shiny. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are about 0.8 cm long. They occur singly at the ends of short branches. They are green. The fruit is fleshy with a hard stone inside and is 0.6-0.8 cm wide. It is orange or red.
There are about 90 Coprosma species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in subalpine places above 500 m altitude. It requires cool, moist conditions. It needs rich, well drained soil. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds - coffee
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed, cuttings or division.