Botanical name:

Coprosma parviflora

Common name(s):

Leafy coprosma

About:

A divaricating shrub characterised by its flattened, wide-angled branches, which create an interesting and unique appearance. This plant bears pairs of small, delicate oval leaves that add to its aesthetic appeal. The twigs display a fuzzy texture towards the tips, while the leaves are adorned with tiny, fine hairs on their undersides. In late summer, the shrub produces fruit that can be white, pink, or a deep dark violet, contributing to its vibrant seasonal display. Additionally, minute flowers bloom from August through October, providing further visual interest during this period. This shrub is well-suited to thrive in lowland forest areas, scrubland environments, and regions with swampy ground conditions.

Natural habitat:

Lowland forest, scrubland and swampy ground.

Growing environment:

Sun, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Three Kings Islands, and the North Island from Te Paki south to Auckland City (Remuera) but now extinct in the Auckland area. Still extant from the Kaipara Harbour north.

Height: 5m

Flowering: August - September (- October) with a green or white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

March - April (- October) with a white, pink or dark violet fruit.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though