shines in the moist forest understorey

Size
Height: 4–6 m, Spread: 2–4 m, can reach 8 m
Lifespan
50–80 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from fertile well-drained soils in moist forest environments.
Habitat
Moist sheltered sites in lowland and montane forests. Prefers fertile well-drained soils with partial shade. Often found in regenerating areas and along logging roads. Requires damp conditions.
Range
North Island and northern South Island. Most common in lowland and montane forests. In eastern South Island restricted to Marlborough. Not found south of Lake Ianthe in west.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Habitat loss from land clearance is primary threat. Browsing by introduced possums and deer. No significant pest or disease issues. Protection of lowland forest critical.
Population
Populations considered stable in remaining forest fragments. Species common in moist lowland forests throughout range. Threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing by possums.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native shrub, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic shrub; widespread in lowland and montane forests throughout New Zealand.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition kanono was valued for berries which were eaten by birds and sometimes by people. Leaves used in medicines. Wood used for small tools. Large leaves noted. Kanono recognised as plant of damp sheltered forests. Sign of presence of water and health of understorey. Plant of deep bush not forest edge.
It does not inhabit the dry exclusively. Coprosma lucida is quieter wetter cousin of karamū. Looks very similar but has more upright branches and larger leaves. Mottled yellow-green. Leaves can reach 15 to 20 centimetres in length. 7 to 10 centimetres in width. Among largest of any Coprosma species. Unlike karamū which flowers in spring kanono flowers in autumn. Small insignificant flowers followed by masses of showy berries. Plant that saves display for end. Leaves are opposite with glossy upper surface and paler often mottled underside. Mottling caused by irregular pigmentation giving leaves distinctive appearance. Leaf margins finely toothed. Stems stout and smooth with dark grey bark. Not its best angle but berries make up for it. Kanono favours more moist and sheltered sites than karamū. Found in damp gullies along stream banks and in shade of larger trees. Less tolerant of drought and exposure than more common relative. Plant that knows it needs water. Berries are orange-red similar to those of karamū but ripen later in season. Important food source for birds in autumn and winter when other fruits scarce. Seeds dispersed by kererū tūī and bellbirds. Plant that feeds forest when food hard to find. Kanono is less common in cultivation than karamū but valuable plant for restoration projects in damp shaded sites. Provides food for birds and adds diversity to forest understorey. Walk into damp gully. Look for large mottled leaves orange-red berries. Birds feeding. Berries disappearing. Kanono does not mind. That is point. It grows in wet places feeds birds and asks for nothing but damp ground. And that seems to be enough.