Wild-Coffee (P. nervosa)

Dull-Leaf Wild-Coffee (P. sulzneri)

Bahama Wild Coffee (P. ligustrifolia)

Psychotria nervosa Sw., P. sulzneri Small, P. ligustrifolia (Northr.) Mills.

sigh-COE-tree-ah ner-VOSE-ah, SULZ-ner-eye, lah-GUS-trah-FOAL-ee-ah

Rubiaceae

Explanation of names:

Psychotria comes from the same root as psyche, in reference to attributed medicinal benefits of these plants.

Nervosa means veiny, in reference to the leaves.

Sulzner is a personal name.

Ligustrifolia reflects similarity to foliage of Ligustrum (Privet).

Synonym:

P. bahamensis Mills. is a synonym of P. ligustrifolia.

Natural ranges: All are Florida natives

Recognition:

Psychotria nervosa has glossy leaves with deeply indented veins.

Psychotria ligustrifolia has dull-toned leaves.

Psychotria ligustrifolia is smaller and more compact than the other two species.

Landscape uses:  All are tough native shrubs with broad tolerances.  Wild Coffee and Dull-Leaf Coffe are very shade-tolerant.  Bahama Coffee tolerates shade too, but less so than the other two.  It is compact and dense-textured. Psychotria sulzneri prefers moist conditions.