Coprosma nitida
| Coprosma nitida | |
|---|---|
| File:Coprosma nitida.jpg | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Coprosma |
| Species: | C. nitida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Coprosma nitida | |
Coprosma nitida, the mountain currant or shining currant, is a shrub species endemic to south-east Australia. It is a shrub with small, glossy leaves, occasional spines on the end of its branchlets, and small bright red-orange fruits.
Description
[edit | edit source]Coprosma nitida is erect, densely branching shrub in the family Rubiaceae, growing between 1 and 2 m high. Leaves are 5–15 mm in length, narrow-ovate with a distinct midrib, glossy leaf surface, and entire leaf margin, arranged oppositely on short petioles.[2] The ends of its branchlets are often sharpened.[3] C. nitida is dioecious with single, terminal flowers. These are funnel-shaped, approximately 5 mm in diameter, and pale green in colour. Flowering occurs spring through summer followed by red-orange fleshy drupe or ‘fruit’, round and 10 mm long.[4]
Habitat and distribution
[edit | edit source]The genus Coprosma is found in Australia, New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands, Borneo, Java, New Guinea, to the Juan Fernández Islands.[5] The species nitida is found exclusively in the south-eastern states Tasmania, some parts of Victoria and New South Wales. C. nitida most commonly occurs in subalpine woodlands between 400 and 1,000 m above sea level, in well-drained soils.[4]
References
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- ^ Govaerts, R. et al.. Coprosma in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the internet. Accessed: 10-12-19.
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