Coprosma repens
Mirror bush, Mirror Bush
(c) Christopher Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Christopher Stephens · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Coprosma repens (Mirror bush) is a non-native California shrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by Only Coprosma in California, representing an Australasian genus occasionally escaping cultivation.
Mirror bush is a naturalized shrub found in the Central Coast bioregion in disturbed places and landscaped coastal bluffs at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from February to November, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in short, compound cymes. Growing as an erect to prostrate shrub up to 8 meters tall with stout stems and light brown bark, it features thick, glossy dark green leaves. Its broad-oblong leaves are 2 to 8 centimeters long with distinctive gland-like pits along the midvein axils, creating a lustrous appearance. The fruit is approximately 10 millimeters long, developing into a striking orange-red color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Coprosma in California, representing an Australasian genus occasionally escaping cultivation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places, landscaped coastal bluff
Elevation: < 50 m
Outside California: native to New Zealand
Bloom period
Coprosma repens blooms Feb-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Coprosma leaves are thick, fleshy, and mirror-glossy; oak leaves are thinner, matte to slightly glossy, and not succulent.; vs Crassula: Coprosma is a substantial woody shrub with opposite leaves; Crassula is typically smaller and more succulent-looking.; vs Pittosporum: Coprosma has opposite leaves and bright orange-red berries; Pittosporum has alternate leaves and capsule fruits.; vs Baccharis: Coprosma has thick glossy opposite leaves; Baccharis has thinner alternate leaves and composite flower heads.; vs Buxus: Coprosma produces bright orange-red berries and has very glossy leaves; Buxus has duller leaves and capsule fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coprosma repens native to California?
No. Coprosma repens is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Coprosma repens bloom?
Coprosma repens blooms Feb-Nov.
What plant family does Coprosma repens belong to?
Coprosma repens is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Coprosma.
What habitat does Coprosma repens grow in?
Coprosma repens grows in Disturbed places, landscaped coastal bluff.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.