Shortleaf wild coffee
Psychotria tenuifolia
Rubiaceae


Landscape Uses:

Accent shrub. Informal hedges. Buffer plantings.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Native plant nurseries.
Description:
Medium shrub dull green leaves.
Height:
Typically 3-4 feet in height. Usually as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to Volusia, Lake, Sumpter and Citrus counties; West Indies, Mexico and Central America.
Habitats:
Moist forests and swamps.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate to low; requires moist to wet soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
Light shade.
Flower Color:
Green.
Flower Characteristics:
Inconspicuous.
Flowering Season:
Spring-summer.
Fruit:
Red, orange, or yellow drupe.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides food and cover for wildlife. Birds and other animals eat the fruits.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from de-pulped seed. Place seeds on top of soil and sprinkle soil over the seeds to just cover. Place container in light shade.
Comments:


George D. Gann
George D. Gann
In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida
Roger L. Hammer
George D. Gann