Coprosma virescens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coprosma virescens |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Coprosma |
| Species: |
C. virescens
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| Binomial name | |
| Coprosma virescens Petrie.
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Coprosma virescens is a special plant that grows only in New Zealand. Its Māori name is mingimingi. This name is also used for other similar plants like C. dumosa and C. rhamnoides. It's a type of shrub or small tree.
About the Mingimingi Plant
The Coprosma virescens plant belongs to a group of plants called Coprosma. These plants are part of the Rubiaceae family. This family also includes coffee plants!
What Does it Look Like?
This plant usually grows about 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) tall. It has many thin, spreading branches. These branches are mostly smooth. Its leaves are small, about 9 mm long and 6 mm wide. They have wavy edges or a few blunt teeth. The leaves grow on short stalks, which are about 2 to 5 mm long.
Flowers and Fruit
Coprosma virescens has tiny flowers. The male flowers grow in small groups of one or two. They are found on very short branches. The female flowers grow by themselves at the ends of short branches.
After the flowers, the plant grows fruit. The fruit is a small, oblong shape. It can be yellow or white and grows up to 6 mm long. When the fruit is ripe, it often looks greenish. This is because you can see the green seeds inside. This green color is why the plant is called "virescens," which means "becoming green."
Where Does it Grow?
You can find Coprosma virescens in many places across New Zealand. It grows from Masterton southwards on the North Island. It also grows throughout the South Island. You can often see it in lower mountain forests and scrubland areas.
