Prickly Currant-Bush

These plants are an erect open to dense shrub that can grow to between 2-5m tall. Seed germination can take over six months, with domestically used seed undergoing stratification to reduce germination to 2–4 weeks. Branches remain slender, often tapering to a spine at the point. Like other related species, such as Coprosma nitida, C. quadrifida also displays pubescent branchlets that are spine shaped.

Leaves. Leaves are of a dull green colouration and lanceolate, or broad ovate, shaped. They are small, typically 5-15mm long and 2-5mm wide. The leaves are also without hairs and display clear reticulate venation underneath. Leaf margins are typically flat or slightly recurved.

Flowers. Flowering occurs from August to January, with flowers of a greenish coloration. The flowers are sub-sessile, and unisexual, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. Flowers are often solitary and are terminal on short branchlets. Male flowers have a cup-shaped calyx and a funnel-shaped corolla. Female flowers have a deeply toothed calyx and a tubular corolla.

Fruit. Fruiting occurs in late summer or early autumn, typically January to March, and results in a drupe style fruit. The fruit is small and globular or egg shaped. It is glossy and ranges in colouration from orange to dark red. The fruit is crowned by the remanent calyx of the flower. …

Individuals of this species have been found in all eastern states of Australia, but it is more common in the south-eastern states (Tasmania, Victoria and in southern New South Wales), due to the more temperate climate.

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