-
Image Credit: Rob Wiltshire – Natural Values Atlas
Scientific Name: Coprosma hirtella
Common Name: coffeeberry
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Rubiaceae
Form Description: Erect shrub. Leaves ovate 2-6cm long with a pointed tip and prominent central vein; thick, glossy and tough.
Height (m): 1 – 2
Flowers: Greenish flowers in small heads. Male and female on separate plants.
Fruit: Drupe – round, 2-seeded. Fruit turn from green to reddish-orange, occasionally chocolate brown, when ripe.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Grows in open forest country often in small scattered colonies, on rocky hillsides and foothills of mountains.
Site Tolerance
Rocky, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
General Notes
Fire retardant. Bird attracting. The fruit are eaten by various birds and mammals. The foliage provides refuge for small birds. Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Propagation Calendar
-
Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Harvest by hand and place into bags, or knock fruit onto groundsheets.
Seed Treatment Method
Fermentation Collect fleshy fruits in a plastic bag, mash up and allowed to ferment to replicate digestion by a bird.
Seed Treatment Notes
Place fruits into plastic bags and allow to ferment for several weeks. Remove the flesh from the fruit and sow seed soon after collection. Do not allow seed to dry out.
Cutting & Division Information
Can be grown from stem cuttings which strike easily.