Prickly mingimingi (Leptecophylla juniperina)
Last Modified: 26-8-2021 14:55
© Christopher Cookson License this image
Prickly mingimingi (Leptecophylla juniperina) is a common shrub growing up to about two metres high, found throughout New Zealand and Tasmania, distinguished by its short, sharp leaves, and pink, white, purple, or red berries. In Marlborough, it is widely distributed and can be found from the Marlborough Sounds to higher altitude areas of scrub and open forest in the Awatere Valley. Mingimingi has a wide variety of Māori names in addition to mingimingi. Fruit are edible. Traditional uses include infusions made from the leaves to treat a variety of ailments. Propagation is difficult, and disruption of the root system readily results in plant death.
These examples were observed at about 740m altitude on The Ned. Note both the pink and red fruit.
Image Date: 16/5/2021
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.640591 Longitude: 173.919296