Botanical name:

Coprosma rhamnoides

Common name(s):

Mingimingi, Twiggy coprosma

About:

A common small bushy shrub featuring very wide-angled branches that bear clusters of small paired leaves. In these clusters, one of the pairs is usually noticeably smaller, narrow, and brown, while the other is quite distinctive with a broader shape at the midpoint of the leaf. This wider leaf characteristically displays a pale blotch at the base, adding to its unique appearance. Additionally, the twigs of this shrub are fuzzy to the touch, giving it a soft textured feel that can be rather appealing.

Natural habitat:

prefers lowland areas, including the lower ranges of mountains. The habitat preferences is around the edges of forests or in shrub-land. Furthermore, the species has a notable preference to grow as understory vegetation of Leptospermum (Manuka) and Kunzea. It is not common, in coastal areas, it prefers to grow far inland.

Growing environment:

Frost & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Common throughout all of New Zealand, from Northland to Stewart island, apart from a few areas Otago, Southland, and the Fiordland’s.

Height: 2m

Flowering: October with a cream coloured flowers.

Fruiting:

March – April with a dark red to black fruit.

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment.