Wild coffee, St. John's bush
Psychotria nervosa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 1-4 m tall. The fruit are bright red and 6-8 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in damp forest in the lowlands. It grows up to 1,200 m above sea level. It is best in an alkaline well-drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bahamas, Belize, Central America, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, North America, South America, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are roasted and used as a substitute for coffee. The leaves are used for tea.

Edible parts

Seeds - coffee, fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be pruned and grown as a hedge.

Plants can flower and fruit all year round.

Its other names

Local names

Cachimbo, Cafe cimarron, Chacrona, Chacruna, Plateado, Seminole balsam, Shiny-leaved wild coffee

Synonyms

Myrstiphyllum undatum (Jacq.) Hitchc.; Psychotria elongata Benth.; Psychotria fadyenii Urb.; Psychotria hirsuta Spreng. non Sw.; Psychotria hirta Kunth; Psychotria lanceolata Nutt.; Psychotria nervosa ssp. rufescens (Kunth) Steyerm.; and others