Mikimiki

Botanical name: Coprosma linariifolia
Synonyms: None
Common name(s): Mikimiki, Yellow Wood

About:
Mikimiki is an elegant small tree or large shrub distinguished by its slender branches, narrow leaves and bright yellow inner bark, which gives rise to the common name “yellow wood”. It is a hardy and adaptable species that grows naturally from lowland to montane forests and scrub throughout much of southern New Zealand. Its small white berries, heavily flecked with blue, are attractive to birds and add seasonal interest.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in lowland to montane forest margins, shrublands and scrub. It is commonly found in open forest, regenerating bush and along forest edges.

Growing environment:
Prefers free-draining soils in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates exposed sites, sandy soils and seasonal dryness once established.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in the North and South Islands from Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū southwards to Southland.

Height:
Up to 8 m

Width:
1–3 m

Flowering:
Spring to early summer.

Fruiting:
Summer to autumn.

Uses:
• Revegetation and ecological restoration
• Shelter planting
• Native hedging and screening
• Bird-attracting gardens
• Traditional yellow dye from the inner bark

Appearance:

Growth habit:
An erect, openly branched shrub or small tree with a graceful appearance and slender branch structure.

Trunk and branches:
The bark is grey-brown externally, while the inner bark is bright yellow. Young twigs are dark coloured and covered with fine hairs.

Leaves:
Leaves occur in opposite pairs and are narrow, linear to narrowly elliptic, measuring up to 40 mm long and 2–4 mm wide. They are dark green above and paler beneath, with small domatia (tiny pits) where the lateral veins join the midrib. Between the leaf pairs are very small, pointed stipules forming a delicate sheath around the stem.

Flowers:
Tiny greenish flowers are produced in spring. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers borne on separate plants.

Fruit:
The fruit is a small fleshy drupe, white and heavily flecked with blue when ripe. These berries are readily eaten by birds, which disperse the seeds.

Ecology:
The fleshy fruit is dispersed by birds (frugivory). Mikimiki provides food and shelter for native birds and insects and is an important component of forest margins and regenerating shrublands.

Associated habitats:
Lowland forest, montane forest, shrubland, scrub, forest margins and regenerating native vegetation.

How to grow:
Grow in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. It tolerates exposed conditions and sandy soils and is relatively drought tolerant once established. Suitable for mixed native plantings, shelter belts and restoration projects.

Propagation:
Readily propagated from fresh seed or semi-hardwood cuttings. Seed is dispersed naturally by birds and germinates readily when fresh.

Cultural use:
The bright yellow inner bark was traditionally used by Māori as a source of yellow dye for colouring fibres and weaving materials.

Garden value:
Mikimiki is an attractive and hardy native shrub or small tree that adds fine texture to the garden. Its narrow foliage, colourful berries and bird-attracting qualities make it an excellent choice for revegetation projects, native hedges and informal woodland plantings.