Coffea mufindiensis
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub or small tree. It can grow to 5 m tall. The stems are hairy. The leaves are opposite and narrowly oval. They are 2-6 cm long. They are papery stiff and crowded together. The edges of the leaves are wavy. The flowers are white and tube shaped. They have short stalks and occur as one or 2 together in the axils of leaves. The fruit are orange red oval berries 1 cm long. They contain 2 pale brown seeds.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in moist forest in Tanzania between 1,600 to 2,100 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Tanzania
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten as a snack. The seeds are used for coffee.
The fruit are especially eaten by children.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds - coffee
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
In Tanzania the fruit are collected from April to June. The seeds can be dried and stored for more than one year.
Its other names
Local names
Kahawa-msitu, Kikwandie, Mkahawa-musitu, Mkahawa mwitu, Mpacha