Coprosma propinqua

Cunn.

Mingimingi

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit, Seeds - coffee 5,366 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Coprosma propinqua is a New Zealand plant of the genus Coprosma in the family Rubiaceae. It is a widely-distributed small leaved divaricating shrub found throughout New Zealand.

Description

A shrub. It has a branching habit. The branches are angular and wide-spreading. They can have a tangled appearance. It can grow 1.8-6 m high. It is normally smaller under cultivation. The leaves are dark green. They are small and leathery. The male and female flowers are on separate plants. The fruit are pale blue berries.

Edible Uses

The pale to deep violet-blue fruit, about 8mm wide, can be eaten raw or cooked. It is sweet but has little flavour. The roasted seed makes an excellent coffee substitute.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

In New Zealand it is common in swampy forests. It grows from sea level to 460 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Where It Grows

Australia, New Zealand,

Cultivation

Requires a moist, very well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun or light shade. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Somewhat intolerant of frost, this species is only likely to succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain. Another report says that it is fully hardy in Britain. It flowers freely in Britain, fruiting heavily if pollinated. A polymorphic species, it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants are tolerant of heavy clipping or pruning. 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 probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame. Stored seed should be sown in spring in a cold frame. Germination can be slow, often taking more than 12 months even with fresh seed. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle. Grow plants through at least their first winter under glass before planting out in late spring or early summer, and give some cold protection during their 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 is obtained from the wood and requires no mordant. The plant tolerates pruning well and makes a good dense hedging plant.

Notes

There are about 90 Coprosma species.

References (4)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 411
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 224
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 306