Creeping coprosma

Botanical name: Coprosma depressa
Synonyms: Coprosma ramulosa, Coprosma pubens
Common name(s): Creeping coprosma, Prostrate coprosma

About:
Coprosma depressa is a low-growing, mat-forming shrub endemic to New Zealand. It is distinguished by its sprawling habit, long rooting stems, and relatively large whitish stipules at the bases of its leaves. Growing naturally in upland and alpine habitats, it often trails gracefully over rocks and boulders, producing bright red berries that contrast beautifully with its small green leaves.

Natural habitat:
Montane to low alpine environments, especially rocky slopes, open shrublands and well-drained stony sites. Frequently grows amongst boulders and rocky outcrops where its stems can root and spread.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool, sunny situations with free-draining soils. Tolerates frost, snow and exposed sites, but dislikes prolonged wet or poorly drained conditions.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout Te Ika-a-Māui / North Island, Te Waipounamu / South Island and Rakiura / Stewart Island, occurring from Mount Hikurangi southwards.

Height:
Usually less than 30 cm tall, occasionally forming thickets up to 1.5 m high when growing amongst shrubs.

Width:
1–2 m or more

Flowering:
December

Fruiting:
January–March

Uses:
• Alpine and rock gardens
• Groundcover for difficult, exposed sites
• Native revegetation projects
• Stabilisation of rocky slopes and banks
• Habitat and food source for native birds

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A prostrate to sprawling evergreen shrub with long, slender stems that root as they spread. The interlacing branches form flattened mats that creep over rocks and across open ground.

Stems and branchlets:
Branches are thin, flexible and often rooting where they contact the ground. Young branchlets are covered with fine hairs.

Leaves:
Leaves are fresh green, leathery and broadly ovate, measuring about 5–9 mm long and 1–5 mm wide. The tips are blunt to slightly rounded and curve downward. Leaves occur in opposite pairs on short petioles and are joined at the base by conspicuous pale, triangular stipules fringed with fine hairs.

Flowers:
Tiny green flowers are borne singly at the ends of short branchlets. Plants are mostly dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate plants.

Fruit:
The fruit is a glossy, bright red drupe, occasionally orange-red, about 5–6 mm in diameter. Each berry contains two seeds and is attractive to birds.

Ecology:
The fleshy berries are dispersed by birds and other fruit-eating animals. The sprawling growth habit allows the plant to stabilise rocky ground and exploit sheltered crevices in alpine environments. Although largely dioecious, occasional irregular or hermaphroditic flowers have been recorded.

Associated habitats:
Montane shrublands, alpine herbfields, rocky bluffs, boulder fields, screes and subalpine grasslands.

How to grow:
Grow in full sun to light shade in free-draining soil or gravelly mixes. Ideal for rock gardens, alpine gardens and retaining walls where it can trail naturally. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged soils.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings. Seed germinates readily without treatment, though a short period of cold stratification can improve germination uniformity. Layering occurs naturally where stems contact the soil.

Cultural use:
While there are no widely recorded traditional Māori uses specific to this species, it forms part of the distinctive alpine and subalpine flora of Aotearoa and contributes to the ecological diversity of mountain landscapes.

Garden value:
An excellent native groundcover valued for its low, spreading habit, attractive red berries and ability to thrive in exposed, rocky situations. Its graceful form makes it especially useful for rockeries, alpine gardens and naturalistic native plantings.