Coprosma foetidissima
J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.
Stinkwood, Hupiro
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(c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Saryu Mae 前 朝琉
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(c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY)
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(c) Richard Gill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Richard Gill
Summary
Source: WikipediaCoprosma foetidissima, commonly known as stinkwood or hūpiro (Māori), is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to mainland New Zealand as well as Stewart Island and the Auckland Islands. It grows as a shrub or small tree, and is found in coastal to sub-alpine forest and shrubland. Its distinctive characteristic is the unpleasant, rotten cabbage smell produced when its leaves are crushed.
Description
An open shrub or small tree. It can grow 3-4 m high. It has the smell of rotten eggs when a piece of the tree is broken off. The flowers occur singly at the tips of branches.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten raw and is sweet, though with little flavour. The orange fruit is about 8mm long. The roasted seed makes an excellent coffee substitute.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In New Zealand it grows along the edges of forests and in scrubland from sea level to 1360 m altitude.
Where It Grows
New Zealand,
Cultivation
Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade. Succeeds in most soils. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain. The plants are reasonably hardy in Essex. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning. The crushed leaves have a repellent smell that is said to have the odour of dung. 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.
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.
Other Uses
A yellow dye obtained from the wood does not require a mordant.
Notes
There are about 90 Coprosma species.
References (2)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Salmon, J.T., 1989, The Native Trees of New Zealand. Heinmann Reid p 304
