Coprosma lucida is a plant that is typically found in the form of a shrub or tree.

[8] The roots and inner bark of C. lucida are a yellow colour, rather than dull brown like the similar C.

However, some cases of monoecy have been observed in C. lucida, where individual plants were noted to have both male and female reproductive structures.

[10] The flowers that are produced by C. lucida are present on panicles extending from the leaf axils of older branches.

[11] C. lucida produces small clusters of oblong fruit that are yellow-orange to orange.

[14] Within New Zealand, C. lucida is typically found in low coastal and montane forests.

[16] Smale et al. also noted that C. lucida can be found growing in geothermal soils of the Taupō Volcanic Zone.

[19] Due to the preference of C. lucida for coastal and montane habitats, the plant is present at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1130 metres.

[6] Once the plant has reached maturity, C. lucida has flowers and fruit for extended portions of the year.

[21] This means that C. lucida can grow in some areas where denser canopies prevent light from penetrating to the forest floor.

[15] The foliage of C. lucida is a food source for the introduced species of white-tailed deer and brush-tailed possums.

The bark of C. lucida trees forms an anthraquinone molecule called lucidin that can be used as a dye pigment.