Shiny-leaved Canthium, Sweet Susie, Inland native coffee
Psydrax odorata

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-10 m tall. The leaves are opposite and sword shaped. They taper to the base. They are smooth and leathery. They are dark green above and paler underneath. They are 8-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are white. They have 5-6 star-like petals. They are about 0.7-1 cm across. They are borne in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit is round and black. It normally has 2 lobes. It is about 0.5 cm across.

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open forest and rainforest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 875 m altitude. They need light shade and plenty of water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Tonga, USA, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Alahe'e, Iamboto

Synonyms

Canthium odoratum (G. Forst.) Seem.; Coffea odorata G. Forst.; Ixora odorata (G. Forst.) Spreng.; Plectronia odorata (G. Forst.) F. Muell.;