Horticultural Notes

1-2” x 3-8’+         Coprosma are members of the Coffee Family. Kukaenene is a low growing shrub found at high elevations (but can be grown a low elevation) with narrow, linear deep green leaves and attractive shiny black berries. The Hawaiian Goose, the Nene, enjoy the black fruit but hikers should avoid them, as they are a laxative. Coprosma are dioecious, with creamy-white male and female flowers on different plants.

A yellow dye could be made from the inner bark and a dark purple-black dye from the fruit.[1]

[1] http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Coprosma_ernodeoides