Shortleaf wild coffee
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Psychotria tenuifolia
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Rubiaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Accent shrub. Informal hedges. Buffer plantings. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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Availability: |
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Native plant nurseries. |
Description: |
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Medium shrub dull green leaves. |
Height: |
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Typically 3-4 feet in height. Usually as broad as tall. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to Volusia, Lake, Sumpter and Citrus counties; West Indies, Mexico and Central America. |
Habitats: |
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Moist forests and swamps. |
Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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Moderate to low; requires moist to wet soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Light shade. |
Flower Color: |
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Green. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Inconspicuous. |
Flowering Season: |
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Spring-summer. |
Fruit: |
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Red, orange, or yellow drupe. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Provides food and cover for wildlife. Birds and other animals eat the fruits. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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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: |
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George D. Gann In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida
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