Mingimingi Explained

Mingimingi is a Māori word meaning 'twisted' or similar.^[1] The name is used to describe at least three different species of New Zealand plants:

• Coprosma propinqua (Mingimingi), a widespread small leaved shrub.
• Leucopogon fasciculatus (Tall mingimingi), a forest shrub.
• Leptecophylla juniperina (Prickly mingimingi, formerly Cyathodes juniperina), a low spreading shrub.

The three species are not closely related and are quite different in appearance, but all three produce small edible berries with a similar sweet but somewhat bland flavour, and are among the more common New Zealand native shrubs with edible fruit.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: mingimingi. Maori Dictionary. 2012-04-03.
2. Book: Crowe, Andrew . A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand . 9780143019220 . 34–35.