Psychotria nervosa
shiny-leaved wild coffee
Florida, Caribbean, and tropical America
Overview
Psychotria nervosa is an evergreen shrub in the madder family, growing 4-10 ft (1.2-3 m) tall and 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) wide with an open, multi-stemmed form. The glossy dark green leaves are 2-6 in (5-15 cm) long with deeply impressed veins that give the foliage a quilted, corrugated surface. Small white tubular flowers cluster at the branch tips from spring through fall, drawing bees and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by clusters of bright red, oval berries about 0.3 in (8 mm) long that ripen over the warm months and are eaten by birds. Despite the common name wild coffee, the plant is related to the coffee genus but its fruit is not used as a coffee substitute of note. It grows in the understory of hammocks and pine woodlands in shade to part shade, on moist, organic, well-drained soils. In full sun the leaves yellow and the foliage thins. The shrub is frost-sensitive and is damaged below about 28 F (-2 C). It is grown as a native landscape and wildlife shrub in frost-free parts of its range.
Native Range
Psychotria nervosa is native to Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America. In the United States it occurs in the hammocks and woodlands of central and southern Florida.Suggested Uses
Used as an understory and foundation shrub in shaded native and wildlife gardens, spaced 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) apart. Planted in butterfly and bird gardens for the nectar flowers and red fruit. Grown as a screening or massing shrub in frost-free coastal landscapes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 10'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Small white tubular flowers appear in clusters from spring through fall, with peak bloom in the warm, wet months. Bees, butterflies, and other insects visit the flowers. Red berries follow and ripen in succession, often present alongside open flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part shade to full shade on moist, organic, well-drained soils, matching its hammock-understory origins. Soil pH from 6.0 to 7.5 is suitable. Water regularly during establishment and in dry spells, as the shrub has low drought tolerance. It is frost-sensitive, with foliage burned below about 28 F (-2 C) and stems killed by hard freezes. Few pests trouble it, though scale and sooty mold can appear in still, humid air. In deep shade the habit grows loose and open.Pruning
Prune in spring after the worst frost risk has passed to shape the shrub and remove cold-damaged wood. Tip pruning encourages a denser, bushier form. Older stems can be thinned at the base to renew an overgrown plant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons