Back to homepage
Questions? AskAuckland
  

Please select root levels for the menu

NZ Plants

Coprosma acerosa - sand coprosma

Coffee family: Rubiaceae

Coprosma acerosa  is a sprawling shrub with numerous interlacing branches often forming springy mounds. Leaves are small and narrow and are held close to the stem either in opposite pairs or in clusters. Stipules (appendages at the base of leaf stalks) are very broad with hairs and glands. Coprosma is a genus of over 100 species found in the Pacific including Hawaii in the west to Australia, Borneo, Java and New Guinea in the east.
An endemic species found in coastal areas throughout New Zealand.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 2 m

Flower symmetry: symmetric
 

Flower size: 2-3 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, narrow-linear

Sepals: 4-5  in female; absent in male

Leaf size: 6-16  mm long x 1-2 mm wide

Petals: 4- 5, green

Leaf arrangement: in opposite pairs or in clusters

Sexuality: unisexual on different plants

Leaf attachment: stipules

Stamens: 4-5

Leaf margin: smooth

Ovary: below petals

Leaf surface: hairless

Fruit: fleshy, blue


Share Print Email