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> Lowland>
Karamu
| Common
name: Karamu |
Botanical
name: Coprosma robusta |
| Family:
Rubiaceae (Madder family) |
Maximum height: 6
metres |
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| Where found: |
- Sea level to 1200m .
- Forest and scrubland, especially forest margins and hillsides,
lowland swamp
- Tolerates shade or full sun
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| Description: |
- Small erect tree or spreading shrub, early growth is fast, has
dense and fibrous root system.
- Opposite leathery leaves 5-12 cm long, eliptical to oblong in
shape. Dark green with paler green undersides, domatia (small
holes) on undersides of leaves, prominent vein pattern.
- Flower: male and female reproductive organs are borne on separate
trees
- Berry 8-9mm long by 4-5mm wide, orange to red, seed ripe in
autumn. Plants older than 3 years produce abundant quantities
of seed.
- Pale green bark when young turning brown when older.
- Fruit attracts bellbird, kereru and tui. Helps seed dispersal.
- Tolerance: frost-moderate, wind-high but not persistent winds,
drought-moderate, salt-moderate, waterlogging-moderate.
Environmental
Tolerances - key
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Click
on image for larger picture
PHOTO: Maggie Bayfield
PHOTO: Peter Winter
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