Bahama Wild Coffee (Psychotria ligustrifolia)
Common Name Bahama Coffee
Latin Name Psychotria ligustrifolia
Family Rubiaceae
Native Yes
Zone 9-11
Height 3-4 feet
Spread 3-4 feet
Salt Water Tolerance low/moderate
Salt Wind Tolerance Moderate with cover from barrier plants
Drought Tolerance moderate
Soil Tolerates moist well drained soil
Sun Full Sun; moderate shade
Wildlife Attractant Birds;ground-dwelling wildlife
Main Uses
The Bahama Wild Coffee plant is considered a shrub and is mainly used as an accent in landscapes. Its small shiny dark green leaves and red fruit add great texture and color.
It has some shade tolerance, but unlike its relative, Wild Coffee, it prefers sunnier locations. Mildly salt tolerant, it can be mainly found on hammocks, but can thrive in coastal gardens if given enough barrier from salt spray by other foliage.
The flowers of the coffee plant have a very similar fragrance to the gardenia bush. If you love the smell of gardenias, use Bahama Coffee in place of it to keep your garden native!
Appearance
The Bahama Coffee shrub stands at only a few feet high, with shiny dark green elliptical leaves. Its fruit stands out with its shiny red appearance and bares small white flowers when in bloom. This form of wild coffee is smaller than its relatives, making it a nice little addition to your landscape.
Wildlife Attractant
Birds such as the blue jay and cardinal enjoy the Bahama Coffee’s fruit. Its foliage creates great cover for ground dwelling wildlife. With sustained flowering and fruiting throughout the year, this shrub provides plenty of food.
This native south Florida plant is perfect for attracting indigenous wildlife to your garden.
