Biology:Coprosma hirtella

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Short description: Species of plant

Coprosma hirtella
Coprosma hirtella 5037.JPG
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Coprosma
Species:
C. hirtella
Binomial name
Coprosma hirtella
Labill.[1]

Coprosma hirtella is a shrub in the family Rubiaceae. It is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It grows to about 2 metres high and has leaves that are between 15 and 50 mm long and 10 to 25 mm wide.[2] Plants have male and female flower clusters that appear between August and April.[2] These are followed by orange to reddish fruits that are 7 to 8 mm in diameter.[3]

The species was formally described by French botanist Jacques Labillardière in 1805, based on plant specimens collected in Tasmania.[1] It is a common plant of moist montane forests in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.[2]

The 1889 book The Useful Native Plants of Australia records "Fruit sweet, eatable, not agreeable. The fruits of other species may be eaten also."[4]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q15432223 entry