New Zealand Native Plant - Coprosma macrocarpa, also known as Coastal Karamū.
[Find volunteer opportunities http://kaipatiki.org.nz/volunteer/ at our nurseries or restoration projects]
This little shrub beastie likes hanging on a coastal edge. Macrocarpa means big seed and in the late 1800 micro scientists attempted to harvest all the seeds from this to see if they can make coffee. Comprosma is in the same family as the coffee we tried to do local industry, they found: yes, you can harvest the seeds; yes, you can roast the seeds; yes, it does taste like coffee; no, it is not worth it. So that is why we still have real coffee. But this is Caprosma macrocarpa a nice berry-producing plant that the birds love. So really important when you doing your restoration planning to have those berry-producing plants to drag the birds in, feed them, keep them hanging around and they love it. Most Caprosmas there is always a boy and a girl variety so you always going to plant at least six or seven different of the same one to make sure you get one or two girls in the mix. So . this is Caprosma Macrocarpa or the Coastal Karamu.
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kaipatikipro...
Ka utaina ngā peka mākū o te whau me te karamū ki runga i te ahi, ko te koromāhu hei rongoā mō ngā poroiwi kua whati (Te Ara 2012). / Wet branches were thrown on the fire with whau and karamū, to make steam as a treatment for broken bones.
