Coprosma

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Coprosma
Coprosma petriei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Subfamily: Rubioideae Tribe: Anthospermeae Genus: Coprosma J.R.Forster & G.Forster
Species
Coprosma acerosa Coprosma antipoda Coprosma brunnea Coprosma cheesmanii Coprosma crassifolia Coprosma crenulata Coprosma elatirioides Coprosma ernodeoides Coprosma fauriei Coprosma fowerakeri Coprosma intertexta Coprosma montana Coprosma nivalis Coprosma persicifolia Coprosma petriei Coprosma pumila Coprosma quadrifida Coprosma robusta Coprosma rugosa Coprosma waimeae

Coprosma is a genus of about 90 species that are found in New Zealand (45 spp), Hawaii (c. 20 spp) and in Borneo, Java, New Guinea, islands of the Pacific Ocean to Australia^[1]. Many species are small shrubs with tiny evergreen leaves. Some Coprosma species are known as Karamu. Some are commonly known as mirror plant (or bush) or looking-glass plant (or bush).

They are notable for their unusual and musky smell which some describe as dung-like.

Common species include "Coprosma grandifolia" (Kanono), "Coprosma lucida" (Karamu), "Coprosma robusta" (Karamu), "Coprosma repens" (Taupata) and "Coprosma acerosa" (Tataraheke/Sand Coprosma).

The orange fruit of all the above species were eaten by Māori children.

[edit] References

1. ^ Flora of New Zealand - Volume 1 - H H Allen - Coprosma

[edit] External links

• Entry in Te Ara: An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, 1966
• Trees for Survival: (New Zealand natives) Coprosma robusta, with the Māori name Karamu.
• An article with photos and identifying features from Bushmansfriend
• Centre National de le Recherche Scientifique