Coprosma rhamnoides < Species index > Cordyline australis
This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 92, # 11, December 2020
December in the hills with Chris Horne, Michele Dickson
Coprosma robusta, karamū,
Origin of the botanical names
Coprosma robusta and Coprosma lucida are somewhat similar in appearance, so it is no surprise that they are both called karamū. C. lucida will be described in the next In The Hills; ‘Coprosma’ is derived from the Greek words ‘kopros’ meaning ‘dung’ and ‘osme’ meaning ‘smell’, as one Coprosma species in particular has an unpleasant smell; ‘robusta’ comes from the Latin word ‘robustus’ meaning ‘strong, hardy’.
Distribution and habitat
C. robusta is endemic to Aotearoa. It grows on Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands, Te Ika a Māui / North Island, on Te Waipounamu / South Island and on Rekohu / Chatham Island. Look for it on forest margins and in shrubland, especially on alluvial soils from the coast and lowlands to mid-elevations.
Growth habit
This species of karamū is a shrub or small tree to 6 m tall, with brown bark. The branches are spreading, stout and hairless. The leaves which are opposite, leathery and dull dark green above, paler below, 7-12 x 3-5 cm, taper to a point. The leaf midrib on the upper surface is sunken - test it with a fingernail. Run a finger along a leaf margin - fine hairs make it slightly rough. The rather stout leaf petioles (stalks) are 10–20 mm long. The stipule between the base of each pair of petioles has a black tip, a useful feature to note.
Reproduction
The densely clustered flowers are in small groups with female and male flowers appearing on separate plants. The berry is dark orange to yellow, 8-9 x 4-5 mm. Birds eat the berries on the female form of the plant and disperse the seeds.
Hybridism
This species of karamū sometimes hybridises with the small-leaved Coprosma propinqua. We will describe this common species in a future edition of the Tramper.
Uses
There are many references to customary and medicinal uses of this species of karamū. See Māori Healing and Herbal – New Zealand Ethnobotanical Sourcebook. Murdoch Riley / Brian Enting, pp 178-182, 1997. Viking Sevenseas Ltd. Sample the taste of a ripe berry.
Where can you find Coprosma robusta?
This species of karamū is abundant in reserves, waste places and untended hilly gardens in the Wellington region. It also occurs in the Tararua, Remutaka and Aorangi ranges.
In The Hills 2020-11 < Index chronological > In The Hills 2021-02