Wild Coffee

Description:

Wild coffee is a multi-stemmed shrub that can grow 5-10 feet high. It has small white clusters of flowers in spring and summer. The coffee berry is about 1/2 inch and turns bright red when ripe. It's distinctive evergreen leaves are a rich dark glossy green. They have a pointed oval shape with prominent veins and a quilted appearance. The flowers and fruit attract butterflies and birds.

Habitat:

A common understory plant in tropical woodlands, especially shell ridge hammocks. Wild coffee is found in South Florida and the West Indies.

Notes:

Wild coffee is a Florida native shrub. It is similar to commercial coffee beans, but wild coffee is not recommended for human consumption. Early settlers might have used it, but other online sites state it does not contain caffeine.