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Common Name:

General Information

Coprosma atropurpurea is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.10 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand.

Habitat

Lowland to higher montane regions in tussock grass, stream margins, rocky places and dry river beds on North and South Islands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade[]. Succeeds in most soils, so long as they are well-drained[].
Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain[]. Another report says that it is quite hardy in Britain[].
Closely related to C. pumila, and often confused with that species[]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[, ].
This species is often confused with C. petriei[, ], though it is quite distinct and does not hybridise with that species[].
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.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Sweet, but with little flavour[, ]. The wine-red fruit is about 8 - 12mm in diameter[, ].
The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

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

Propagation

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.
Division of suckers[].