Coprosma atropurpurea
(Ckn. & Allan) L. B. Moore.
(c) Murray NZ, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Murray NZ
(c) John Barkla, some rights reserved (CC BY)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Seeds - coffee
The fruit is eaten raw and is sweet, though with little flavour. The wine-red fruit measures about 8–12mm in diameter. The roasted seed makes an excellent coffee substitute.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It suits USDA hardiness zones 6-9.
New Zealand,
How to Identify
A shrub. It forms low mats over the ground. It grows 10 cm tall. The fruit are dark red and 8-12 mm across.
How to Grow
Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame. Stored seed can be sown in spring in a cold frame. Germination is often slow, taking more than 12 months even with fresh seed. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, and grow on under glass for at least their first winter before planting out in late spring or early summer. Provide some cold protection during the first winter outdoors. Cuttings of mature wood from the current year's growth can be taken in autumn and rooted in a frame. The plant can also be propagated by division of suckers.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Other Uses
A yellow dye obtained from the wood does not require a mordant.
Wikipedia
Evergreen shrub reaching 0.1m tall and 0.4m wide. Hardy to UK zone 7. Year-round foliage with flowers from July to August. Dioecious species requiring both male and female plants for seed production; wind-pollinated and not self-fertile. Grows in light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soil with mildly acid to neutral pH. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist conditions.
Notes
There are about 90 Coprosma species.
References (1)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
