Coprosma hirtella

Family:

Rubiaceae

Rough Coprosma

Other Names: Coffee Berry

Name Origin:

Coprosma — from Greek kopros, excrement, and osme, smell, referring to fetid leaf smell on most species.

hirtella — from Latin hirtus, shaggy, referring to rough leaf surface.

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Not widespread. Noted in the areas: Upper Gilmore; Upper Adelong & Upper Yaven and Bringenbrong-Khancoban.

Australia:

NSW, Vic, Tas.

Habitat:

Damp sites at higher altitudes. Usually on hillsides in woodland, or scrub on granite or basalt.

Habit:

Erect slender shrub to about 2 m high with rigid branches.

Site Preference:

Moist, well-drained sheltered site. Tolerates frost.

Characteristics:

Fast-growing. Fire retarder.

Flowering:

Greenish, summer. Small and inconspicuous.

Seed Collection:

Harvest fruit when reddish-orange by hand, or knock fruit onto ground sheets.

Propagation:

From fresh seed or stem cuttings, which strike readily. Remove flesh from fruit and sow seed soon after collection. Do not allow seed to dry. Seedlings usually appear in flush of germination.

VALUES:

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Fruit eaten by various mammals and birds. Prickly foliage good refuge for small birds.

First Nations:

Fruit eaten.

Ornamental:

Useful ornamental with colourful fruit. Easily grown in protected garden position in partial or dappled sun. Requires extra water during dry periods.

Other:

Showy edible fruit are sweet but leave an unpleasant aftertaste.