Coprosma putida

Coprosma putida, commonly known as stinkwood, is a flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. The Latin specific epithet putida means "stinking", alluding to the stench produced when the plant is cut or bruised, including the leaves and fruit.

Description

It is a shrub or small tree growing to 4 m in height. The broadly elliptic-oblong leaves are 40–110 mm long, 25–80 mm wide. The small, greenish-white flowers are 8 mm long. The fleshy, red fruits are 20 mm long. The flowering season is from August to early November.

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It is common and widespread at all elevations in sheltered forest.