Coffea - Coffee

(Coffe'a)

DESCRIPTION: These are small, thin trees that have glossy, tough, dark green leaves. Several varieties of Coffea are found wild in Africa, but the countries that produce the most are South and Central America, notably Brazil. A certain quantity is also produced in parts of Africa, Australia, and the Federated Malay States. Jamaica is recognized for a high-class Coffee known as Blue Mountain Coffee. Coffeas are handsome foliage plants that produce fragrant, white flowers and are especially decorative when bearing their red fruits, which resemble cranberries.

POTTING: These plants need a rich, moist soil and filtered light. These plants can be grown outdoors in southern Florida and California; otherwise, in greenhouses. Plants that are grown in pots should not become crowded, or else their leaves will turn yellow and fall off.

PROPAGATION: This plant can easily be grown from seeds.

VARIETIES: C. arabica (Arabian Coffee); C. robusta (Robusta Coffee); C. liberica (Liberian Coffee).

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