About Coprosma crassifolia Colenso
Coprosma crassifolia Colenso, commonly called mingimingi, is a heavily branched shrub. It typically reaches 1 to 2 metres in height, and may grow up to 4 metres tall. It produces green flowers between September and October. Fruiting occurs from November to June, yielding translucent berries that contain a white seed; these berries are attractive to skinks and birds. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, are small, roundish, stiff, and remotely spaced. Individual leaves measure 6–10 mm long by 5 mm wide, and taper at the base. The leaves are glossy dark green on the upper surface and whitish on the lower surface; this combination of leaf traits is a distinguishing feature of the species. This plant grows in scrublands, forests, and coastal habitats, occurring from sea level up to approximately 600 metres elevation. It is distributed across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
