• Skip to main content

Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

  • Local Plants Database
  • Local Wildlife Database

SEARCH PLANT AND ANIMAL DATABASES

COFFEE, ARABIAN COFFEE (WEED)

Coffea arabica, Fam. Rubiaceae


Shrub or tree to 6m.

Form or habit: Shrub or small tree
Latex: Rubiaceae
Leaf: Simple Opposite
Opposite or rarely in whorls of 3, simple, elliptic to obovate, 70-200 x 30-90mm, margins wavy; dark shiny green above, paler beneath, domatia conspicuous; 2-4mm long stipules borne on stem between leaf-stalks.
Flower conspicuous: Conspicuous
Flower colour: White or cream
Flower description: White or cream 5-petalled, 18-25mm in diameter, borne in axillary clusters; perfumed.
Fruit conspicuous: Conspicuous
Fruit colour: Red
Fruit: Fleshy
Fruit description: Bright red ellipsoid drupes, 12-16 x 10-25mm, with 1-2 green or cream ‘seeds’, 10-14mm long.
Habitat:
Distribution
Food source for:
Toxicity: No toxicity known
Origin: Tropical Africa
Weed: Yes
Weed status: Environmental/garden escapee
Notes: Spread by: Birds and possibly by water. Invades: Rainforest. Notes: Garden ornamental, and commercial crop in some areas; ‘seeds’ roasted and ground for coffee. Naturalised in rainforests in both North and Southeast Queensland and known to be naturalised in rainforest on lower north-eastern slopes of Mt Jukes where all size classes are common. Not officially recorded and full extent of population not known. Origin apparently from a very early unsuccessful commercial trial in the Mt Jukes valley. Environmental weed.
Information sources: Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2011) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region.

Website by Kapow Interactive