Details:

Coprosma rotundifolia is an attractive upright shrub with soft, thin, quite rounded pale-green and purple-blotched leaves with interlaced branches. Rather slender shrub up to 2-4 m tall; branches spreading to divaricate that does well in dappled light. Coprosma rotundifolia is superficially similar to and most often confused with C. rubra. Coprosma rubra differs from the much more widespread C. rotunidfolia by its smaller leaves. Leaves are covered in small hairs, rapidly tapering to a sharp tip. Both species may be found growing together. The flowers and orange-red berries are in small clusters. Should be planted in a free draining but moist fertile soil.

The flowers are dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate trees). The female flowers are seated in the green calyculus which is formed by the fusion of two stipulate bracts. The petals above are joined with the 2 female translucent stigmas rising above. They are pollinated by wind. Coprosma rotundifolia produces orange or red fruit (4-5 mm in diameter) on very short stalks. The fleshy fruits have two seeds and are dispersed by birds.

Habitat: Lowland to montane. Usually in riparian forest and shrubland, especially on alluvial soils or those derived from calcareous parent materials.

Flowering: Spring [September - November]
Fruiting:    Summer - Winter [September - August]

Tags: Dioecious