[4] The leaves are leathery and matte with a glabrous lamina which appears reticulate on the underside where it may also be pubescent.

The almost microscopic stipules at the base of the leaves are also pubescent with a sharp denticle at their apices.

The branches are rigid and growing in many directions which creates the twiggy appearance.

The fruit are fleshy, globose berries, of a crimson or ruby red colour distributed solitarily along the branchlets.

[2][3] C.rhamnoides prefers lowland areas, including the lower ranges of mountains around the edges of forests or in shrubland.

The seedlings start to appear after two/three months [7] Once the shrub is grown, small flowers occur.

The berries can remain on the shrub, and over ripen as they turn a crimson or black colour.

[8] C. rhamnoides can grow in the most hardy conditions, under high wind and weather exposure[8][5] and in sunny or rainy environmental conditions [7] Native lizards and frugivorous birds are likely seed dispersers for this species, including kererū, tūī, korimako (bellbird), stitchbird, and weka.

However, as the twiggy coprosma name suggests, the divaricating structure makes it difficult for grazers to access the leaves and berries.

[5] The coprosma rhamnoides is not usually grown in gardens, likely due to the scruffy and twig-like appearance.