glossy karamū
about.
Coprosma robusta | karamū, glossy karamū
A hardy, fast-growing evergreen shrub. It features large, glossy, deep green leaves and produces vibrant orange berries that are highly attractive to native birds. This plant is excellent for revegetation projects, shelter belts, and nurse planting, as it competes well with gorse and thrives in a wide range of tough conditions, including coastal areas. Karamū is low-maintenance and provides year-round greenery and structure, making it a versatile addition to any landscape.
typical habitat.
coastal scrub
lowland forest
coastal forest
lower montane forest
shrubland
drainage.
dry
free draining
well drained
moist
sun.
partial shade
full shade
full sun
mature specifications.
height | 5m
width | 4m
pollinators calendar.
flowering | (July-) August-September
(-November)
fruiting | (March-) April-May (-July)
did you know?
karamū is a culturally significant plant in traditional Māori practices. It is associated with spirituality and is often featured in birthing and funerary rites. In traditional Rongoā medicine, it is used to address various ailments; a liquid from boiled juvenile shoots can be used for inflammation or bladder problems, while the leaves are believed to help with kidney issues and the bark to treat stomachache and vomiting. Early European settlers used boiled karamū leaves as a tea substitute, and in the 1870s, there were investigations into using the berries to create a coffee substitute.