Rubiaceae

Coprosma repens

Common Names: Mirror bush

Plant Form: Low growing shrub to small tree. Size: Up to 8 m tall. Stem: Many stiff spreading branches, woody. Leaves: Oval shaped to almost round, 3-7 cm long, very shiny dark green, paler below. With small pits near the veins on the underside. Flowers: Dense cluster of white funnel-like flowers with 5 petals. Fruit and Seeds: Densely clustered berry like 6-8 mm long green to orange-red, glossy. Habitat: Coastal dunes and headlands, wetlands. Distinguishing Features: Very shiny leaves and pits on the leaf undersides distinguish from Karamu (Coprosma robusta) and native Coffee-berry (Coprosma hirtella). Impacts: Smothers and suppresses native vegetation, forms impenetrable stands.