Coprosma chathamica

Coprosma chathamica
	Coprosma chathamica in the Chatham Islands
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Rubiaceae
Genus:	Coprosma
Species:	C. chathamica
Binomial name
	Coprosma chathamica; Cockayne

Coprosma chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island karamū, is a species of tree found in New Zealand, endemic to the Chatham Islands.

Description

Coprosma chathamica is a large canopy tree, which grows pairs of oval leaves and ripe yellow fruit. Trees can grown up to a height of 15 m (49 ft).^[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to the Chatham Islands, where it is one of the major forest trees. It grows in coastal and inland forest, typically found on peaty or waterlogged sites.^[1]

Ecology

The tree is used as a night time habitat for the longhorn beetle Xylotoles costatus.^[2]

Traditional uses

The tree was traditionally used in Moriori funerary rites. Bodies would be tight bound with Coprosma chathamica vines, standing upright facing the sea, and over time, bones would become incorporated into the wood. Many of these trees were discovered by early European settlers to the islands when clearing trees.^[3]

Gallery

Leaves
Herbarium specimen
Flowers
Fruit
Trunk
Coprosma chathamica in a forested area

References

^ ^a ^b de Lange, P.J. "Coprosma chathamica Fact Sheet". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
^ Emberson, R.M. & Marris, J.W.M. (1993). Xylotoles costatus Pitt Island Longhorn: a manual with aids to identification (Report). Lincoln University. pp. 1–4. hdl:10182/4165.
^ Vennell, Robert (2019). The Meaning of Trees. Auckland: HarperCollins UK. pp. 140–143. ISBN 978-1-77554-130-1. LCCN 2019403535. OCLC 1088638115. OL 28714658M. Wikidata Q118646408.

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[NZPCN-1] Lange, P.J. "Coprosma chathamica Fact Sheet". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 26 June 2025.

[Lincoln1993-2] Emberson, R.M. & Marris, J.W.M. (1993). Xylotoles costatus Pitt Island Longhorn: a manual with aids to identification (Report). Lincoln University. pp. 1–4. hdl:10182/4165.

[MeaningTrees-3] Vennell, Robert (2019). The Meaning of Trees. Auckland: HarperCollins UK. pp. 140–143. ISBN 978-1-77554-130-1. LCCN 2019403535. OCLC 1088638115. OL 28714658M. Wikidata Q118646408.

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