Coprosma quadrifida
Rubiaceae
Common
This small to medium-sized shrub may be recognised by its small, opposite and soft leaves 0.5‒1 cm long; the leaves do not have teeth. Unlike Pittosporum multiflorum and Melicytus dentatus, spines are absent, although small spines develop at the ends of the branchlets.
The small, inconspicuous male and female flowers are carried on separate plants. In mid to late summer, small shiny, red berries appear on the female plants.
These small fruit 5‒8 mm long are edible and were eaten by the early settlers, but they have little flesh and are not very flavoursome.
Coprosma grows into an attractively shaped shrub and usually grows on the edges of rainforest; this shrub would suit a shady garden.
DISTRIBUTION:
TAS to Tenterfield, NSW
