Coprosma pseudocuneata
{{Short description|Species of flowering plants}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2025}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Coprosma_pseudocuneata.jpg
| image_caption = Coprosma pseudocuneata in Fiordland National Park
| image_alt = Leaves of the plant with some orange berries
| status = NT
| status_system = NZTCS
| genus = Coprosma
| species = pseudocuneata
| authority = W.R.B.Oliv. ex Garn.-Jones & Elder
}}
Coprosma pseudocuneata is a species of plant that is endemic to New Zealand.{{Cite web |title=Coprosma pseudocuneata |url=https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/coprosma-pseudocuneata/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=New Zealand Plant Conservation Network |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Coprosma pseudocuneata W.R.B.Oliv. ex Garn.-Jones & Elder {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:994467-1 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en}}
Description
A small, erect shrub. The leaves grow opposite each other, and are small, green, with a pointed tip. There is a small, hairy sheath around the base of the leaves. The singular flowers are yellow.{{Cite web |title=Coprosma pseudocuneata |url=https://www.taranakiplants.net.nz/natives/montane/cop_pseudocuneata.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.taranakiplants.net.nz}} The fruits are around 6mm long, and orange-red, scarlet,{{Cite web |title=Flora of New Zealand {{!}} Taxon Profile {{!}} Coprosma pseudocuneata |url=https://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/taxon/Coprosma-pseudocuneata.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.nzflora.info}} or blueish and yellow.
The form may differ based on where it is found, both by habitat and distribution.{{Cite web |title=Coprosma pseudocuneata W.R.B.Oliv. ex Garn.-Jones & Elder - Flora of New Zealand Series |url=https://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/taxa/6fc2d0c6-2d86-42bd-8eee-22d3c2efbb48 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Flora of New Zealand Series}}
Distribution and habitat
Coprosma pseudocuneata is found in alpine environments on both the North Island and South Island. On Mount Taranaki, it is found from 1100 to 1400m above sea level. It has been noted as having thicker, broader leaves there. The northern limits are Mount Hikurangi and Maungapohatu.
The type locality is from Mount Holdsworth.{{Cite journal |last1=Garnock-Jones |first1=P. J. |last2=Elder |first2=R. |date=1996-03-01 |title=Nomenclatural validation of Coprosma pseudocuneata (Rubiaceae) |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0028825X.1996.10412702 |journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=139–140 |doi=10.1080/0028825X.1996.10412702 |bibcode=1996NZJB...34..139G |issn=0028-825X}}
Coprosma pseudocuneata can live in a variety of habitats, from lowland bog and shrubland to subalpine environments.
Ecology
In the South Island, Coprosma pseudocuneata is often associated with Nothofagus solandri, creating a variation of subalpine forest. These forests are generally species-poor.{{Cite web |title=[Nothofagus solandri] ([Peraxilla tetrapetala]) / [Coprosma pseudocuneata]) subalpine forest |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/woody-ecosystem-types/beech-forest-alliances/black-mountain-beech-forest/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Manaaki Whenua |language=en-US}}
Etymology
The name implies that pseudocuneata is similar to Coprosma cuneata.
Taxonomy
The species was formally described for the first time in 1996. The Latin description was translated by Elizabeth Edgar.
The relation to Coprosma solandri may need further research.