Mirror Plant
Botanical name: Coprosma repens
Synonyms: Coprosma retusa, Coprosma baueriana, Coprosma baueri, Coprosma stockii
Common name(s): Taupata, Looking glass plant, Mirror plant
About:
Coprosma repens is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand’s coastlines. Known for its thick, glossy leaves and bright orange-red fruit, it is one of the country’s most recognisable coastal shrubs. The species varies greatly in form, growing as a sprawling ground-hugging shrub on exposed cliffs and beaches, or as a small tree in sheltered situations. Its tolerance of wind, salt spray and drought has made it a popular landscaping plant in New Zealand and overseas.
Natural habitat:
Naturally occurs along coastlines on rocky shores, cliffs, talus slopes, boulder fields, offshore islands and coastal forest margins. It is occasionally found inland in a few naturally occurring populations associated with river systems and basins.
Growing environment:
Prefers full sun and well-drained soils but tolerates a wide range of conditions including sand, clay, drought, wind and salt spray. Performs best in coastal environments and is moderately frost tolerant.
Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Naturally occurs on the Three Kings Islands, North Island and northern South Island as far south as Greymouth on the west coast and Rarangi in the east. It has become widely naturalised throughout the South Island, Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands, and is also naturalised overseas.
Height:
0.5–8 m
Width:
1–6 m
Flowering:
June–February.
Fruiting:
July–June.
Uses:
• Coastal shelter and hedging
• Revegetation and erosion control
• Coastal and native landscaping
• Habitat and food source for birds
• Container and specimen planting
Appearance:
Growth habit:
A dioecious evergreen shrub or small tree with a variable habit. In exposed coastal sites it forms a low, sprawling mound, while in sheltered locations it develops into a dense shrub or small tree with a rounded crown.
Trunk and branches:
Branches are stout, pliant when young and become more brittle with age. Bark is light to dark brown with green underbark. Young branchlets are covered in fine hairs which are lost as the stems mature.
Leaves:
Leaves are borne in opposite pairs and are thick, leathery and highly glossy. They are broadly elliptic, oblong to nearly circular, measuring 50–90 mm long and 40–60 mm wide. The upper surface is dark glossy green while the underside is paler and duller. Leaf margins are flat to slightly recurved and small domatia are present beneath where the lateral veins meet the midrib.
Flowers:
Small greenish-white flowers are borne in branched clusters. Male flowers are produced in larger clusters of 3–20 flowers, while female flowers are usually produced in groups of three. Plants are usually dioecious, although occasional monoecious individuals occur.
Fruit:
The fruit is a fleshy drupe, orange-red to red and occasionally yellow when ripe. It is obovoid, slightly compressed and measures 8–12 mm long. The fruit is attractive to birds and may be present throughout much of the year.
Ecology:
Taupata is an important coastal species, stabilising cliffs, dunes and rocky shorelines. Its flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, while its fleshy fruit is eaten and dispersed by birds. The dense growth habit offers shelter for native fauna. It readily hybridises with several coastal Coprosma species, including Coprosma acerosa, Coprosma crassifolia and Coprosma neglecta.
Associated habitats:
Coastal forest, coastal scrub, rocky shorelines, cliff faces, talus slopes, boulder fields, offshore islands, petrel scrub and estuarine margins.
How to grow:
Grow in full sun to partial shade in free-draining soil. Extremely tolerant of salt spray, wind and dry conditions once established. It responds well to trimming and can be used as a hedge or shelter plant.
Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed, semi-hardwood cuttings or by layering branches. Seed germinates readily without pretreatment.
Cultural use:
Taupata is a familiar and valued coastal plant throughout New Zealand. Its toughness and adaptability have made it an important species in coastal restoration and revegetation projects.
Garden value:
Taupata is one of New Zealand’s best coastal shrubs. Its glossy foliage, colourful fruit and exceptional tolerance of harsh conditions make it ideal for coastal gardens, hedging, screening and restoration planting. It is easy to grow, low maintenance and highly attractive to native birds.