Rugosa Mirror-Bush (Coprosma rugosa)

Family: Rubiaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Coprosma rugosa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to February, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet but with little flavour. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Freely produced in Britain, it is sweet but with little flavour.; The fruit is white or blue and about 8mm long x 6mm wide.; The roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute.

Habitat & North American Range

Lowland to montane and lower sub-alpine grassland, shrubland and forest margins in North and South Islands. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)