Coprosma acerosa
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Coprosma acerosa 11.JPG
| image_caption =
| genus = Coprosma
| species = acerosa
| authority = A.Cunn.
}}
Coprosma acerosa, commonly called sand coprosma, is a shrub that is native to New Zealand. It is a coastal plant found on the landward side of sand dunes. C. acerosa is a low, spreading shrub with yellow-brownish leaves, red bark and blue fruit.{{cite web|title=Sand Coprosma|url=http://tearai.kete.net.nz/site/topics/show/18-sand-coprosma|publisher=Te Arai Kete|accessdate=6 November 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223044931/http://tearai.kete.net.nz/site/topics/show/18-sand-coprosma|archive-date=23 February 2013}}
It is declining over large parts of its original range due to competition from marram grass.{{cite web|title=Coprosma acerosa|url=http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.asp?ID=1699|publisher=New Zealand Plant Conservation Network|accessdate=6 November 2012}}
Description
Low-growing, with slender flexible, sprawling to prostrate, interlacing branches and branchlets, forming a ± cushionlike mass up to c. 2 m. diam., occ. up to 2m. tall. Branchlets ∞ with yellowish brown bark, pubescent when young. Lvs in opp. Pairs or fascicles, on yellowish petioles. Stipules rounded-obtuse to broadly triangular, ± pubescent, ciliolate. Lamina coriac., yellowish green, linear obtuse, 7-12 × 1-1·5- (2) mm. Midrib alone evident. Fls solitary, terminal on short branchlets. ♂ with calyx 0 or vestigial; corolla funnelform, lobes ovate-oblong, subacute, ± = tube. ♀ with acute, narrow-triangular calyx-teeth; corolla funnelform, lobes narrow-oblong, obtuse. Drupe translucent, very pale to pale blue, often with darker flecks, globose, c. 7 mm. diam.{{cite web|title=Coprosma acerosa|url=https://biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz/scientific-names/7e1987fb-ac1f-4e38-8ac9-3a0548973673|publisher=Landcare Research |accessdate=6 June 2022}}
References
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Category:Endemic flora of New Zealand
Category:Taxa named by Allan Cunningham (botanist)
{{Rubioideae-stub}}