Shinyleaf Wild Coffee

Shinyleaf Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) is a native Florida shrub that can grow to about six feet in height. This useful shrub thrives best in partial to full shade, and will tend to grow larger in those conditions. In the hottest and driest part of early summer, this species may have noticeable leaf droop from lack of water.

The evergreen nature of Wild Coffee and it's robust size when planted in semi-shade make it an excellent candidate for shaded hedges and the mostly sunless side yards of closely spaced houses. Once established, Wild Coffee needs very little to stay attractive.

Good for Wildlife

The spring and early summer flowers of Wild Coffee are highly attractive to pollinators like bees and small butterflies. When larger shrubs are in full bloom, they may even seem to hum with the activity of so many busy pollinators. In the late fall and winter the shrub produces bright red drupes (fruit) that darken to a deep red and are a great source of food for many Florida bird species. As an evergreen shrub it can also provide winter cover for Florida animal species

Not a Favorite Beverage

Although this species may be a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae), and the drupes (fruits) may look like coffee berries (Coffee arabica), there the similarity ends. You probably should never make coffee from this plant. It is reported to have a bad taste and can leave you with quite a headache.