Thick-leaved Coprosma

Botanical name: Coprosma crassifolia
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Thick-leaved coprosma, Mingimingi

About:
A distinctive evergreen shrub endemic to New Zealand, recognised by its reddish-brown divaricating branches and small, thick, glossy leaves that are dark green above and pale to whitish beneath. Its intricate branching pattern creates an attractive architectural form, making it a characteristic species of coastal and dry lowland shrublands. The Māori name mingimingi is shared with several small-leaved divaricating coprosmas.

Natural habitat:
Coastal rocky and sandy shrublands, scrub and lowland to lower montane forests, often in dry or exposed habitats.

Growing environment:
Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. Tolerates drought, wind, salt spray and poor soils once established. Grows naturally in coastal and inland environments up to around 600 m above sea level.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout the North and South Islands, particularly east of the main ranges, although widespread in suitable habitats.

Height:
1–2 m, occasionally up to 4 m

Width:
1–3 m

Flowering:
September–October

Fruiting:
November–June

Uses:
• Coastal and dryland revegetation
• Shelter and habitat planting
• Native hedging
• Structural shrub in gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Erosion control on banks and slopes

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A much-branched evergreen shrub with rigid, wide-angled reddish-brown branches forming a divaricating framework. Young branchlets are slender, often interlacing, and covered with fine hairs.

Leaves:
Leaves are small, thick and leathery, arranged in opposite pairs or clusters. They are suborbicular to oval or broad-oblong, usually 6–10 mm long, glossy dark green above and strikingly pale white to bluish-white beneath. The margins are fringed with tiny hairs when young and often curve slightly downwards.

Flowers:
Tiny green unisexual flowers appear on short branchlets. Male flowers occur singly or in small groups and lack a calyx, while female flowers are solitary with minute calyx teeth and long, narrow corolla lobes.

Fruit:
Produces small fleshy drupes that are pale yellow to white when ripe, about 5–6 mm in diameter. The berries are attractive to birds and other wildlife.

Ecology:
The fleshy fruits are dispersed by birds, including native species that feed on the berries. Dense shrubs provide shelter for skinks, geckos and invertebrates. The divaricating form may help protect foliage from browsing and harsh environmental conditions.

Associated habitats:
Coastal shrublands, dry forests, rocky hillsides, scrublands, dune margins and lower montane forests.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or light shade in free-draining soil. Once established it is drought tolerant and requires little maintenance. It is highly tolerant of wind and coastal exposure, making it an excellent choice for difficult sites.

Propagation:
Propagated from fresh seed or semi-hardwood cuttings. Seed germinates readily after cleaning, while cuttings strike best under warm, sheltered conditions.

Cultural use:
Known by the Māori name mingimingi, this species forms part of the diverse small-leaved shrub communities that have long characterised New Zealand’s coastal and lowland landscapes.

Garden value:
An outstanding native shrub valued for its architectural branching, contrasting leaf colours and toughness. Ideal for coastal gardens, dry banks, native hedges and naturalistic plantings where its distinctive white-backed leaves and reddish stems provide year-round interest.