Coprosma robusta

of karamū in fruit Karamū is a large bushy shrub that grows up to tall. Branches are stout with no hair. Karamū stipules are black, hairless and obtuse with slightly serrated margin that are united at the base Leaves The glossy leaves of karamū range from long, with elliptic-oblong shape and acute or obtuse leaf apex and with obvious veins. The best flowering period is between August and September. Fruit Fruit are often dark orange-red to red, oblong to narrow ovate drups. The best fruiting period is between April and May. ==Taxonomy==

The species was one of the first Coprosma species that were collected by Joseph Banks during Cook's voyage to New Zealand, who used the name Pelaphia lata in his notes. ==Etymology==

The species epithet robusta means strong or sturdy. The Māori language name karamū has unclear etymological origins, but may be linked to the word kakara (scent). ==Distribution and habitat==

Natural global range , New Zealand Karamū is endemic to New Zealand. New Zealand range It is widely distributed across New Zealand in both the North and South Islands. On the Chatham Islands between Waitangi and Owenga, there is a small area where karamū has become naturalised. Habitat preferences Karamū can be widely found near coastal, lowland and lower montane areas. It can also grow within shrub lands and expansive areas within dense trees such as lowland forest. However, the population decreases in lowland forest such as beech and kahikatea forests. Normally karamū is a hardy plant that can adapt to infertile soils, poorly drained and exposed lands. It can also grow in a large range of altitude varying from under full sun to shady, windy and frosty circumstances. ==Life cycle and phenology==

In New Zealand the flowering season of karamū is from winter (approximately from July) to summer (ends around December). Male and female flowers are separated which is called dioecious. Seeds mature by about April and start germinating soon afterwards and doesn't leave a long lasting seed bank. The seed is largely dispersed by birds which eat the fruit. Due to its hardy characteristics, it is easy growing from seed even on open sites. Again, as mentioned before, the best season for C. robusta fruiting is between April and May. It would finally grow up to six meters high and will normally act as a secondary succession plant during this process. ==Ecology==

Growing conditions Karamū is an extremely hardy plant that can grow in a large range of environmental conditions from full sun to shady, from dry to moist, and can tolerate frost and wind. The mature fruit can endure a minimum temperature to and the leaves can endure a minimum temperature before they get irretrievably damaged. It grows best in a moist soil They can also be found in coastal conditions, lowland scrub, swamps and rock associations. Karamū is noted for its quick bushy growth and for this reason is commonly cultivated and frequently used for native bush regeneration projects. Interactions (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) feeding on karamū berries in Titirangi, Auckland Birds which disperse karamū seeds include native bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) and tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), indigenous silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis), and introduced blackbirds (Turdus merula), and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos). Seeds can be dispersed a long way and into areas of more mature forest. Parasites Karamū will sometimes act as a host plant to support other plants including podocarp, totara and yellow-wood family. Sex ratios In recent years, there is a report showing the sex ratio of karamū in the Riccarton Bush in Christchurch. The sex ratio of population of is female-biased with 70% of the flowering plants being female. This female-biased ratio differs from the few other counts of sex ratios in New Zealand species of Coprosma. That could be influenced by a number of factors, including the pollen and seed fecundity of the two sexes and factors affecting their sexual maturity and mortality. That is interesting because karamū is often male-biased in sex ratios. This differential survival of the sexes in long-lived species is usually attributed to differences in reproductive effort between male and female plants. In particular, the energy cost of producing ovules and fruit in female plants is greater than the cost of male flowers producing pollen. Female-biased sex ratios also occur as a consequence of differential fertilization and genetic differentiation of sex chromosomes. ==Cultural uses==

Traditions Karamū is often associated with spirituality in traditional Māori culture, and is often a feature of birthing ceremonies and funerary rites. Food The mature berries of karamū are a traditional Māori food, and karamū leaves can be used to line hāngī pits to impart flavour into food. The berries have a bitter-sweet taste, and their flavour is highly variable across different individual plants. Dyes Karamū is rich in dying properties including alizarin and purpurin. Traditionally Māori used it to dye flax (Phormium) fibers yellow. Sometimes leaves of karamū were put on stones and dye the food and preserve them after a hāngī. ==Early European uses==

Boiled karamū leaves were used by early European settlers in New Zealand as a substitute for tea. In 1877, Coutts Crawford investigated the use of karamū berries to create coffee. ==Gallery==

CVNZ Punakaiki MRD 02.jpg|Seedlings Coprosma robusta Raoul (AM AK370202).jpg|Herbarium specimen Karamū leaves, Rosedale Park.jpg|Karamū leaves Coprosma robusta 504976053.jpg|Stem and flower buds Female karamu flowers.jpg|Female flowers Male karamu flowers.jpg|Male flowers ==References==