Shrubs, multi-branched, erect, occasionally creeping and sometimes rooting at the nodes or occasionally trees, often foetid when bruised. Leaves simple, opposite or rarely ternate, margins entire, petiolate or sessile; stipules interpetiolar, distinct or partly connate, entire or dentate with toothlike marginal colleters. Flowers unisexual (and the plants dioecious or rarely monoecious), rarely polygamous or in one species perfect, axillary, solitary or in cymes; calyx 4–5(–10)-toothed, often reduced or absent in male flowers; corolla funnelform or campanulate, 4–5(–10)-lobed, lobes valvate in bud; stamens 4–5(–10), inserted at base of corolla tube; filaments long-exserted, erect or pendulous; ovary 2(–4)-celled, ovule 1 per cell, basal, anatropous; style 2(–4)-lobed, divided nearly to base; stigmas long-exserted, papillose-hirsute. Fruits drupaceous, juicy, ovoid to globose, with 2(–4), 1-seeded, plano-convex pyrenes.

Marquesas Islands: Ua Pou: Without further locality, 1000 m, 1921, E. Qualye 1136(holotype: BISH-578803!).

Shrub or small tree 1.5–4 m tall; young stems glabrous. Leaves decussate, thick-coriaceous, blades 6.5–13 × 2.7–6 cm, ellipticoblanceolate, pinnately veined with 8–18 pairs of secondary veins, higher level venation conspicuously reticulate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface strigose along the veins, midrib broad, with a narrow wing, domatia small or sometimes apparently absent, located along midrib near juncture of secondary veins, apex acuminate, base cuneate; petioles 0.4–1.3 cm long, stout, narrowly winged; stipules ca. 3–8 mm long, connate 1/2–4/5 of length, both surfaces glabrous, margins ciliate with reddish brown hairs and dentate with conspicuous colleters, apex obtuse to a conspicuous appendage. Inflorescences axillary with 6(–15) flowers, trichotomously branched, with 1–3 nodes, the uppermost with a 3-flowered cymule, the others with usually only 1–2 flowers developing on each, these 5–6-merous, peduncles finely, sparsely strigulose. Flowers: male flowers with calyx campanulate, ca. 2 mm long, the tube 1 mm long, the lobes 1 mm long, corolla 6–7 mm long, the tube 5 mm long, the lobes ca. 2 mm long, staminal filaments 7 mm long; female flowers with peduncles 2–3 mm long, calyx tubular, 0.4–0.8 mm long, corolla narrowly funnelform, the tube 1.8–2 mm long, the lobes 1.4–1.8 mm long, the styles 9–11 mm long. Fruits ca. 6–7 mm long × 3 mm wide, obovoid-elliptic, ripening bright red or reddish orange, apex with persistent calyx teeth. Pyrenes obovoid-ellipsoid, ca 4 mm long × 2.5-3 mm wide hemispherical in cross-section, smooth, heavily slerified on the edges and on the flat inner face, thin on convex side.

Marquesas Islands, scattered to locally common on Ua Pou and a single collection known from Nuku Hiva.

This species is known from 770 to 920 m elevations on steep slopes or ridges in cloud-shrouded shrubland and wet forest dominated by Freycinetia impavida (Gaudich. ex Hombr.) B. C. Stone, Pandanus tectorius Parkinson, and Metrosideros collina (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) A. Gray.

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva. between Taiohae Bay and Hooumi Bay, 900 m, Gagné 1159 (BISH, US). Ua Pou: Teavaituhai, 3000 ft, Mumford & Adamson 642 (BISH), Meyer 2835(PTBG, US); Teavahaakiti, steep slopes of main ridge to S of Oave, N & E facing cliffs between Teavahaakiti & Tekohepu, 2700 ft, Perlman & Wood 15905 (PTBG), 2550 ft, Perlman & Wood 15922 (PTBG, WU); Matahenua, between Oave and Poutetainui, high mountain peaks along main backbone ridge, 899 m, Perlman & Wood 19079(P, PAP, PTBG, US); forested ridge and slopes up to Teavahaakiti, northwest side, 914 m, Wood 10440 (PAP, PTBG, US), Wood 10446 (PTBG, US); central Ua Pou including the summit crest regions around Oave and the near-by peak of Matahenua., 2950-3030 ft, [09°23'454"S, 140°04'433"W], Wood & Perlman 10802 (PAP, PTBG, US); Tekohepo, summit, 2500-3000 ft, [09°24'31"S, 140°04'21"W], Wood & Perlman 6487 (PAP, PTBG), Wood & Perlman 6492 (PTBG).

Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) it is assigned a preliminary status of Endangered (EN): B1, B2b (i–iii): B1 extent of occurrence <5, 000 km²; B2: total area of occupancy less than 500 km² (c. 50 km²); B2b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) areas of occupancy, and area, (iii) extent and/or quality of habitat. The suitable habitat for Coprosma esulcata on Nuku Hiva (c. 340 km²) and Ua Pou (c. 105 km²) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest.

Marquesas Islands: Fatu Hiva:Tevaiua, southern summit region, 870 m, 15 February 2003, K. R. Wood 10137 (Holotype: PTBG!; Isotypes: AD!, BISH!, K!, MO!, MPU!, NY!, P!, PAP!, US!).

Tree ca. 7 m tall; young stems short-pilose. Leaves opposite, thinly coriaceous, blades 5.3–6.7 × 0.9–1.8 cm, narrowly elliptic, pinnately veined with 8–9 pairs of secondary veins, higher level venation conspicuously reticulate, both surfaces glabrous, domatia minute, usually subcircular, located along midrib near juncture of secondary veins, apex acute, base attenuate; petioles 0.7–1.1 cm long; stipules ca. 2–2.5 mm long, connate 4/5 of length, both surfaces glabrate, margins weakly ciliate and dentate with a larger and sometimes also a few small colleters, the colleters often with a small tufts of a few hairs. Inflorescences axillary, subsessile, with 3 flowers, these 5–6-merous. Flowers: male flowers unknown; female flowers with peduncles to 4.2 mm long, calyx short-tubular, ca. 0.5–0.6 mm long, the tube ca. 0.1–0.2 mm long, the lobes triangular, 0.3–0.4 mm long, corolla narrowly funnelform, the tube 2 mm long, the lobes 1.2–1.3 mm long. Fruit and pyrenes unknown.

The specific epithet refers to the only known island of occurrence for this species.

This new species is known only from a single collection at the type locality in the southern summit region at 870 m on Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands.

Coprosma fatuhivaensis occurs in Metrosideros collina windswept wet ridge forest with secondary dominants of Crossostylis biflora J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. and Freycinetia impavida.

Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) it is assigned a preliminary status of Critically endangered (CR): B2a, B2b (i–iii); D: B2: total area of occupancy less than 10 km2 (ca. 5 km2); B2a, a single population known; b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred; D, population estimated to number fewer than 250 individuals (a single individual observed). The suitable habitat for Coprosma fatuhivaensis on Fatu Hiva (ca. 85 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by feral animals and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest. Estimated population size (collector's note) is a single female individual.

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa:Feani area, on Hanamenu trail at summit crest above Vaiumete et Vaiumioi, 1090 m, [9°47.93"S, 139°4.75"W], 30 January 2003, S. Perlman 18337 (Holotype: PTBG!; Isotypes: BISH!, P!, PAP!, US!).

Shrubs 2–3 m tall; young stems sparsely villous. Leaves opposite, thick-coriaceous, blades 4–7.2 cm × 1.2–2 cm, oblanceolate, only midvein evident, both surfaces glabrous, domatia absent, apex acuminate to acute, base cuneate; petioles ca. 0.1 cm long; stipules 2.5–3 mm long, connate 4/5 of length, both surfaces glabrous, margin dentate with a few conspicuous colleters and ciliate, the colleters usually with a tuft of hairs. Inflorescences axillary, apparently trichotomously branched, with very short internodes, with 6(–12) flowers, these 5–6-merous, subsessile. Flowers: male flowers with campanulate calyx ca. 2 mm long, the tube 1.5 mm long, the lobes triangular, 0.5 mm long; corolla narrowly funnelform, 5.4–5.7 mm, the tube 3.3 mm long, the lobes 2.1–2.4 mm long, the anthers 2.5–3.1 mm long, filaments to 11 mm long; female flowers unknown. Fruits and pyrenes unknown.

Coprosma meyeri is known only from the type locality at ca. 1090–1113 m elevation in the Feani area along the trail to Hanamenu on the summit crest of Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands.

This new species occurs in cloud-shrouded low wet forest and shrubland dominated by Metrosideros and Weimannia, with species of Alsophila, Alstonia, Ascarina, Blechnum, Cheirodendron, Crossostylis, Cyrtandra, Dicranopteris, Freycinetia, Myrsine, Oparanthus, Psychotria, Reynoldsia, and Trimenia.

The specific epithet honors Dr. Jean-Yves Meyer, conservation biologist at the Délégation à la Recherche, Polynésie française, in recognition of his untiring efforts to explore and conserve the biodiversity of French Polynesia.

Coprosma meyeri is extremely rare, with less than five plants known from a single locality. Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) it is assigned a preliminary status of Critically Endangered (CR): B2a, B2b (i-iii); D: B2: total area of occupancy less than 10 km2 (ca. 5 km2); B2a, a single population known; b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred; D, population estimated to number fewer than 250 individuals. The suitable habitat for on Hiva Oa (c. 315 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment threatened by human activities (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest. Its narrow distribution, disturbance from feral pigs and trail clearing, and invasion by alien plant species such as Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels and Psidium cattleianum Sabine put it at risk of extinction.

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa:Feani area, trail to Hanamenu, along summit crest, 1113 m, [9°48' 3" S, 139°4'682" W], 1 Aug 2005, S. Perlman 19763 (BISH, P, PAP, PTBG, US).

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva. Route Toovii–Terre Deserte, 6 km apres le col, 5 Juin 1984, 1050 m, J. Florence 6913 (holotype P!; isotypes: BISH!, K!, NY!, PAP!, US!).

Shrubs or small trees 2.5–6 m tall; stems glabrous. Leaves ternate, chartaceous, blades 5–16.5 × 2–5.5 cm, oblanceolate, oblong or elliptic-oblanceolate, midrib narrow, pinnately veined with 8–13 pairs of secondary veins, both surfaces glabrous, higher level venation conspicuously reticulate, raphides conspicuously visible on lower surface along the major veins, domatia minute, located along secondary veins and sometimes also along midrib near juncture, apex acuminate, base attenuate; petioles 0.3–1.2 cm long, narrowly winged; stipules 4–6 mm long, connate ½–4/5 of length, both surfaces glabrous, margins ciliate and dentate with conspicuous colleters, apex obtuse to a conspicuous appendage. Inflorescences axillary, trichotomously branched with 6(–15) flowers, each branch with 1–3 nodes, the uppermost with a 3-flowered cymule, and the others when present with usually only 1–2 flowers developing on each, these 5–7-merous, peduncles 1–2 cm long. Flowers: male flowers with calyx campanulate, 2.3–3.7mm long, the tube 0.3–1.2 mm long, the lobes 2–2.5 mm long, corolla 6–7 mm long, the tube and lobes ca. 3–3.5 mm long, stamens 5–8(–12), filaments 7–10 mm long; female flowers with peduncles 0.1–0.7 mm long, calyx tubular, 0.4–0.8 mm long, corolla narrowly funnelform, the tube 0.25–0.4 mm long, the lobes 1.5–2.1 mm long, the styles 7–9 mm long.  Fruit 10-11 × 5-6 mm, ellipsoid, apex with persistent calyx teeth. Pyrenes narrowly ovoid-ellipsoid, compressed, 10 × 4-4.5 mm, weakly ribbed dorsally.

Known only from the Toovii area of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands.

Coprosma nephelephila is known from 970 to 1100 m elevation, scattered in montane cloud forests dominated by Metrosideros and Weinmannia associated with with species of Alsophila, Crossostylis, and Ilex.

The specific name alludes to its cloud forest habitat preference.

Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) it is assigned a preliminary status of Endangered (EN): B1, B2b (i–iii): B1 extent of occurrence <5, 000 km²; B2: total area of occupancy less than 500 km² (c. 50 km²); B2b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) areas of occupancy, and area, (iii) extent and/or quality of habitat. The suitable habitat for Coprosma nephelephila on Nuku Hiva (c. 340 km²) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest. The estimated population size for this species is unknown but apparently small.

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva.Toovii, épaulement S du Mt. Ooumu, 970 m, [08°51'S, 140°08'W], Florence 4342 (BISH, K, NY, P, US); route Toovii-Terre Deserte, km 6.5 après le col, 1010 m, [08°52'S, 140°10'W], Florence 4369 (BISH, P); Haute vallée de Tapueahu, 1070 m, [08°52'S, 140°11'W], Florence 8522 (BISH, CHR, P, PAP, US); summit area of Toovii, near summit of ridge of airport road, S side of new airport road, W side of mountain, 3500 ft [1067 m], Perlman & Wood 15046 (BISH, MO, NY, P, PAP, PTBG, US).

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva. Toovii, épaulement au-dessus du réservoir [08°52'S, 140°09'W], 970 m, 12 Avril 1982, Florence 4306 (holotype: P!; isotypes: BISH! [2], K!, NY!, PAP!, US!).

Shrubs or small trees 3–10 m tall, up to 12 cm diam., stems glabrous. Leaves thinly coriaceous, decussate, the blades 8.5–19.7 × 3–13 cm, oblanceolate, oblong or elliptic-oblanceolate, glabrous, pinnately veined with 8–13 pairs of secondary veins, higher level venation conspicuously reticulate, raphides conspicuously visible on lower surface along the major veins, which are dark-colored, domatia small, slightly elongated, located along midrib near juncture with secondary veins, apex acuminate, base attenuate; petioles 0.3–1.3 cm long, narrowly winged; stipules ca. 3–5 mm long, connate ½–4/5 of length, glabrous externally, strigose internally, margins ciliate and dentate with conspicuous colleters, apex obtuse to a conspicuous appendage. Inflorescences axillary, simple or occasionally trichotomously branched with 7 flowers, rarely more, each branch with 1–3 nodes the uppermost with a 3-flowered cymule, the others usually with only 1–2 flowers developing on each, these 4–6-merous, peduncles finely, sparsely strigulose. Flowers: male flowers with calyx tube 0.5–1.5 mm long, the lobes 0.3–0.9 mm long, the corolla 6.9–8 mm long, the tube 3.5–4.2 mm long, the lobes 3.4–4 mm long, the stamens with filaments 10–13 mm long, the anthers ca. 5 mm long; female flowers with calyx tube 0.4–0.8 mm long, the lobes 0.3–0.6 mm long, corolla narrowly funnelform, the tube 1.5–2 mm long, the lobes 2.2–2.5 mm long, the styles 8–10 mm long. Fruit 7–8 × 3.5–4 mm, obovoid to ellipsoid, ripening orange, apex with persistent calyx teeth. Pyrenes ovoid-ellipsoid, compressed, 6 × 3 mm, rugulose, dorsally weakly 1-ribbed.

Known only from the Toovii area of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, at elevations from 800 to 1100 m.

Coprosma reticulata occurs in wet forest and cloud forest habitat with species of Alsophila, Crossostylis, Fagraea, Freycinetia, Metrosideros, Weinmannia, and an understory of ferns including the genera Dicranopteris, Histiopteris, and Nephrolepis.

The specific epithet refers to the distinctive reticulate network of tertiary veins.

Based on the IUCN criteria and categories this species is assigned a preliminary Red List status of Endangered (EN): B1, B2b (i–iii): B1 extent of occurrence <5, 000 km²; B2: total area of occupancy less than 500 km² (c. 50 km²); B2b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred in (i) extent of occurrence, (ii) areas of occupancy, and area, (iii) extent and/or quality of habitat. The suitable habitat for Coprosma reticulata on Nuku Hiva (c. 340 km²) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activity (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest. The population size for this species is unknown, but based on available herbarium specimens (14) it is apparently not as rare as its Marquesan congeners.

Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva.Toovii, vallon au-dessus du réservoir, 805 m, [08°52'S, 140°09'W], Florence 4316 (BISH, K, NY, P, PAP, US); Toovii, épaulement au-dessus du réservoir, 910 m, [08°52'S, 140°09'W], Florence 4325 (BISH, P); Toovii, épaulement S du Mt. Ooumu, 980 m, [08°51'S, 140°08'W], Florence 4346 (BISH, K, NY, P, US); Toovii, flanc W de la vallée de la Tapuaooa, 925 m, [08°51'S, 140°09'W], Florence 7452 (BISH, P, PAP); Toovii region, trail along ridge from near l'Economie Rurale complex to Ooumu peak, 860–1080 m, Lorence et. al. 6116 (BISH, PAP, PTBG, US); Mt. Ooumu, 1066 m, Mumford & Adamson 582(BISH); Toovii Plateau, trail behind l'Economie Rurale, toward Ooumu peak, 3100 ft, Perlman 10124 (BISH, MO, PAP, PTBG, US); off new airport road, W of summit crest, W of Peak #1227 M., drainages of Matatekouaehi, 3580 ft, Perlman & Wood 15041 (BISH, PAP, PTBG, US); along old airport road on W side of summit ridge, W of Toovii, 1.5 miles S of new airport road, 3360 ft, Perlman & Wood 15067 (AD, BISH, MO, NY, P, PAP, PTBG, US); Toovii, 850 m, Thibault 127 (BISH, P, US); Ooumu area, top of Tapueahu Valley off new hwy, 3500–3700 ft [1067–1178 m], [08°51'53"S, 140°10'63"W], Wood et. al. 6344 (PTBG), [08°51'S, 140°19'W], Wood & Perlman 4587 (PTBG, US), Wood & Perlman 4627 (BISH, MO, PAP, PTBG, US).

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa.Along trail from Atuona to Mt. Temetiu, moist forest, 700 m, 29 January 2003, D. H. Lorence, L. Dunn, & J. Price 8931(Holotype: PTBG!; Isotypes: BISH!, P!, PAP!, US!).

Foliis tenuiter coriaceis, 5.1–9.1 × 2.1–3.6 cm, petiolis 0.3–0.8 cm longis, stipulis 1.5–3 mm longis.

Shrubs 4–6 m tall; young stems short-pilose. Leaves opposite, thinly coriaceous, blades 5.1–9.1 × 2.1–3.6 cm, elliptic, pinnately veined with 8–9 pairs of veins, higher level venation conspicuously reticulate, both surfaces glabrous, domatia small, usually somewhat elongate, located along midrib near juncture of secondary veins, apex acuminate, base cuneate; petioles 0.3–0.8 cm long; stipules ca. 1.5–3 mm long, connate 4/ 5 of length, both surfaces glabrous, margins glabrous and dentate with a few small colleters, apex obtuse to a conspicuous appendage. Inflorescences axillary with 3(–7) flowers, with 1–3 nodes, the uppermost with a 3-flowered cymule, the others with usually only 1–2 flowers developing on each, these 5-merous, the peduncles 0–4 mm long, finely short-pilose. Flowers: male flowers unknown; female flowers with calyx short-tubular, 0.25–0.3 mm long, the teeth ca. 0.2 mm long, glabrous, corolla narrowly funnelform, the tube 0.3 mm long, the lobes 2.2–2.5 mm long, glabrous, the styles 5.5–7 mm long. Young fruits sparsely pilose, fruits and pyrenes otherwise unknown.

Known only from areas the vicinity of Mt. Temetiu, the highest peak on Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands.

Coprosma temetiuensis occurs at 700–880 m elevation in mesic forest and cloud forest with Metrosideros and Weimannia, associated with species of Alsophila, Crossostylis, Freycinetia, Hibiscus, Pandanus, and Phyllanthus.

The specific epithet refers to the only known locality for this species.

Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa.Hanamenu region, up Hanamenu valley to the drainages below and west of Temetiu, 884 m, [9°76'S, 139°0'W], Wood 10239 (PTBG).

This species is extremely rare, with only two plants known from this locality. Following the criteria and categories of IUCN (2001) it is assigned a preliminary status of Critically Endangered (CR): B2a, B2b (i–iii); D: B2: total area of occupancy less than 10 km2 (ca. 5 km2). B2a, a single population known; b (i–iii), habitat continuing decline inferred; D, population estimated to number fewer than 250 individuals. The suitable habitat for Coprosma temetiuensis on Hiva Oa (c. 315 km2) is indicated as an endangered environment, threatened by human activities (deforestation and fire), feral animals, and invasive plants, reducing the extent of the forest.