Species
Coprosma grandifolia
Etymology
Coprosma: from the Greek kopros 'dung' and osme 'smell', referring to the foul smell of the species, literally 'dung smell'
grandifolia: big leaved
Common Name(s)
kanono, manono, large-leaved coprosma, raurekau
Current Conservation Status
2012 - Not Threatened
Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB
Previous Conservation Status
2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened
Authority
Coprosma grandifolia Hook.f.
Family
Rubiaceae
Brief Description
Common large shrub with pairs of thin wavy, mottled leaves. Leaves to 20cm long, oval, pointed, with small pits at junction of veins. Sharp dark point on stem between pairs of leaves. Fruit orangeish, on obvious stalks in open clusters.
Flora Category
Vascular - Native
COPGRA
The
National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs
Synonyms
Coprosma australis (Richard) Robinson, Ronabea australis Richard, Coprosma autumnalis Colenso
Distribution
Endemic. North to South Islands. In the South Island extending to Lake Ianthe in the west and the Marlborough Sounds in the east.
Habitat
Common in the understorey of forest, and in sheltered shady sites from the coast to montane and cloud forest. In areas of high rainfall can be a major component of shrublands, and within regenerating forest. Often common along the margins of logging tracks and roads.
Similar Taxa
Easily distinguished by the very large, broad, yellow-green leaves which are variously mottled with dark green or purple, and have prominent leaf "drip-tips", and by the very large, entirely glandular leaf stipules - seen otherwise only in the very different looking C. waima. It also differs from all of the other similar large-leaved species by its usually autumnal flowering pattern.
Flowering
(March-) April (-June) but may also occasionally flower in September.
Flower Colours
Green,White
Fruiting
(September-) October-January (-April)
Propagation Technique
Very easy from fresh seed. Also easy from semi-hardwood cuttings. Prefers a shaded site in damp soil but will tolerate most garden situations.
Threats
Not Threatened
Chromosome No.
2n = 44
Endemic Taxon
Yes
Endemic Genus
No
Endemic Family
No
Life Cycle and Dispersal
Fleshy drupes are dispersed by frugivory (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Where To Buy
Not commonly cultivated. Occasional available from garden centres.

References and further reading
Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309
This page last updated on 15 Aug 2014