Greek kopros — dung, osme — smell, referring to the unpleasant smell of some species.

Shrubs and trees. Leaves opposite, sometimes with domatia on the lower surface; stipules interpetiolar and often sheathing. Flower clusters terminal or axillary, sometimes solitary. Flowers with sexes generally on separate plants. Calyx with 4-5 lobes, persistent. Corolla 4- to 6-lobed. Stamens 4-5, attached at the base of the tube, the anthers protruding. Ovary inferior, mostly 2-chambered, each with 1 ovule. Fruit a fleshy drupe with 1-2 seeds.

Hybrids are sometimes available, making identification difficult. Grown for the interesting forms, foliage and berries, often in massed plantings as landscape shrubs. A number of species are occasionally grown that are not listed here. A key is therefore not given, as it would be likely to confuse.

Softwood cuttings.

Dyes have been extracted from several species; the bark, leaves and twigs have some medicinal uses; the seeds of some species have been ground to make a coffee.

Leaves generally with domatia in the lower-surface vein axils; stipules triangular with 1 or more small teeth; sexes generally on separate plants; flower lobes entire or notched, the margins mostly curled under.

About 100 species from Australia, Malesia,  southern China, the Pacific, Chile and Trista da Cunha. Australia has 6 species.

Hutchins (1995). The International Cultivar Register is maintained by the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Rubiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.