Coprosma rhamnoides
| Coprosma rhamnoides | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Coprosma |
| Species: | C. rhamnoides |
| Binomial name | |
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Coprosma rhamnoides A.Cunn. |
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Coprosma rhamnoides, also known as twiggy coprosma or red-currant coprosma is an endemic shrub in New Zealand. It forms a small shrub up to 2 m tall. The leaves are very small, simple and variable in shape. The inconspicuous flowers are unisexual and believed to be wind pollinated. It is widespread in occurrence and can be the dominant small leaved divaricating shrub in some locations
It is a dense shrub. If rocks are nearby it can sprawl out prostrate over the rocks. Commonly, the species occurs less than 1m. The branches grow in many directions and are also very thin. This gives a distinct twiggy appearance which accounts for the common name ‘twiggy coprosma’.
The leaves have a leather like texture, a matte appearance and a hairless lamina. The leaves are not translucent. They are also not evidently reticulate on the top, however they are reticulate when viewed from the bottom.
The leaves are often fascicled. They are attached by very short petioles. The leaves are opposite from each other. The leaves are 7 – 12 mm long.
On any individual plant, the leaves vary in size and shape. This can depend on maturity. The common broad shape leaves are orbicular. The leaves narrow quickly into the petiole. The petioles are pubescent, with small hairs covering the petiole entirely. The hairs continue onto the lower area of the leaf ).
The stipule at the base of the leaf is pubescent. It has a sharp denticle on the apex. The stipules are almost microscopic.
The branches are also very small, about 10mm in diameter and numerous, which makes the shrub dense. The branches divaricate, growing in many directions. Furthermore, they are rigid which creates the twiggy appearance. The bark is a reddish brown colour, and when scratched, it exposes an energetic yellow/green colour.
The flowers of coprosma rhamnoides are axillary.
The female flowers are smaller. However, both male and female corollas comprise four lobed petals. The male petal is 2.7mm, whereas the female is 1.3mm long and are more narrow and funnel shaped. The male has four stamens.
Lastly, the coprosma rhamnoides can be identified by the fleshy berries, of a crimson or ruby red colour. They are distributed solitarily along the branchlets. The berries are of a globose shape.
The Coprosma rhamnoides species is endemic to New Zealand, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world apart from New Zealand
The coprosma rhamnoides is found throughout all of New Zealand, from Northland to Stewart island. Furthermore, it is common throughout, apart from a few areas. These areas are Otago, Southland, and the Fiordlands. Notably, the species is hardly found in coastal areas, it is far more common inland.
The coprosma rhamnoides prefers lowland areas, including the lower ranges of mountains. The habitat preferences is around the edges of forests or in shrubland. Furthermore, the species has a notable preference to grow as understorey vegetation of Leptospermum (Manuka) and Kunzea. It is not common, in coastal areas, it prefers to grow far inland. This suggests that low salinity areas, provide optimum conditions for the coprosma rhamnoides.
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Wikipedia