Coprosma repens

Coprosma repens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Rubiaceae
Genus:	Coprosma
Species:	C. repens
Binomial name
Coprosma repens A. Rich.
Synonyms
Coprosma baueriana Hook. f. Coprosma baueri auct. non Endl. Coprosma retusa Hook. f Coprosma stockii Williams

Coprosma repens is a shrub or small tree that is native to New Zealand.^[1] Common names include Taupata, Mirror Bush, Looking-glass Bush, New Zealand Laurel and Shiny Leaf.^[2][3][4]

Description

Male

Female

Taupata flowers

The habit of this species varies markedly with its situation. In exposed situations, such as cliffs, it assumes a prostrate habit, while in more sheltered areas it can grow as a small tree up to 8 metres in height.^[5] It has thick and very glossy leaves which vary considerably in size, depending on exposure to the elements. The leaf margins are recurved, occasionally to the extent that the leaf may be cylindrical in cross-section.^[5]

Flowers are produced in spring and summer, the male flowers appearing in dense, compound clusters, the female flowers in smaller clusters.^[3] Female plants produce orange-red ovoid drupes which are around 8 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length.^[5]

Distribution

The species is native to the North Island, South Island, Kermadec Islands and Three Kings Islands in New Zealand.^[5] In Australia it has become naturalised in coastal areas of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.^[3]

Cultivation

Coprosma repens 'Picturata'

The species has been popular in coastal gardens due to its resistance to salt spray.^[2] Although it prefers well-drained sandy soils, it can cope with heavier soils.^[4] There are a large number of cultivars:

• 'Coffee Cream' - creamy-yellow leaf margins
• 'Coppershine' - foliage with a copper-bronze tinge
• 'Marble Chips' - leaves with white margins and speckles
• 'Picturata' - leaves with a golden central area
• 'Pink Splendour'- leaves have pink and maroon shaded margins
• 'Rainbow Surprise' - a small cultivar with small pink and yellow-green leaves
• 'Taupata Gold' - cream leaves with green centres
• 'Variegata' - leaves with a creamy-white margin
• 'Yvonne' - compact form with dark-green leaves^[6]

References

1. ^ "WCSP". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/. Retrieved 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Weed Identification - Looking glass bush". Weeds Australia. Australian Weeds Committee. http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=E30. Retrieved 2009-04-26. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Coprosma repens A.Rich.". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Coprosma~repens. Retrieved 2009-04-26. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Shiny Leaf - Coprosma repens". Environmental Weeds of the South East. Department of Environment and Heritage South Australia. http://www.senrm.sa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=DsN9pDdJ24k%3D&tabid=1706&mid=2683. Retrieved 2009-04-26. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d} "Coprosma repens". Flora of New Zealand Series. Landcare Research. http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_3f21850b-8f3f-4723-ae60-56cbb420ec3a&fileName=Flora%201.xml#_3f21850b-8f3f-4723-ae60-56cbb420ec3a. Retrieved 2009-04-26. 
6. ^ Kirsten, Keith; Lizelle Meyer-Faedda (2001). Gardening with Keith Kirsten. Struik Press. ISBN 1868725073. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B1sqtRz50ToC&pg=PA92&vq=coprosma+repens&dq=Coprosma+repens+cultivars&source=gbs_search_r&cad=1_1.