Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Gentianales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Coprosma J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Coprosma distantia (de Lange & R.O.Gardner) de Lange in de Lange et al., New Zealand J. Bot. 40: 522 (2002)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Coprosma obconica subsp. distantia de Lange & R.O.Gardner, New Zealand J. Bot. 40: 34 (2002)
 Description

Prostrate densely matted shrubs 0.1– 0.2 × 2–5 m. Branches numerous, long-trailing, leading shoots prostrate. Mature twigs with dark silver-grey to almost black, rather corky bark, this long persistent, eventually cracking radially and shedding in small tabular shards; inner bark dark green when exposed. Adult leaves dimorphic; those in sunny conditions with blades 3.5–12 × 1.5–2.5(– 3.5) mm, those in shaded sites up to 20 × 4.5 mm; both types broadly elliptic to oblanceolate, dark green, glossy. Drupes uniformly cream to pale lemon when fresh.

[Reproduced from de Lange & Gardner (2002, New Zealand J. Bot. 40: 25-35, as Coprosma obconica subsp. distantia de Lange & R.O.Gardner) with permission from The Royal Society of New Zealand.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Gardner, R.C.; Wright, S.D.; Wichman, S.R. 2002: A new combination for a Coprosma endemic to the serpentinised zone of the Surville Cliffs, North Cape, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 40(3): 521–522.
de Lange, P.J.; Gardner, R.O. 2002: A taxonomic reappraisal of Coprosma obconica Kirk (Rubiaceae: Anthospermeae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 40(1): 25–38.
de Lange, P.J.; Heenan, P.B.; Given, D.R.; Norton, D.A.; Ogle, C.C.; Johnson, P.N.; Cameron, E.K. 1999: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37: 603–628.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Naturally Uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Naturally Uncommon]