MOUNTAIN CURRANT / SHINING COPROSMA (Coprosma nitida) Seeds

Coprosma nitida, the shining coprosma, is a shrub species in the family rubiaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

It is an erect shrub, growing to between 1 and 2 metres high and has small, glossy crowded leaves and occasional spines on the end of its branchlets.

Masses of red to orange fleshy fruits throughout summer & autumn. Snow & frost hardy. The red fruits are 5 to 10 mm long. The silvereyes will tell you when they are ripe.

The flowers are 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 are pollinated by wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable ph: acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Bush food: Fruit - raw, also nice in pies, cakes and tarts, the roasted seed is an excellent coffee substitute. Early settlers in Australia used the fruit in puddings.

Germination: Seed benefits from pre-treatment with an acid to trigger germination. They can be placed in a container and covered with vinegar and left to soak for a minimum 24 hours to several days before sowing. 

Cover lightly, raise seedlings. Spacing: 2-3m. Position: Full Sun. Days until germination: 10-31 days