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Coffea arabica L.
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Coffea arabica var. typica |
| Common Name: | Coffee Tree, Arabica Coffee, 小果咖啡, 咖啡樹, 小粒咖啡 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m), Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 2 m to 8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Ethiopia, Sudan |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Mountain) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree up to 8 m tall. In large scale cultivation, it is often pruned to form a large shrub. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, usually glossy leaves are elliptic (oval with pointed, opposite ends). |
| Flowers | White, tubular flowers are star-shaped and 5-lobed. They have a sweet fragrance. |
| Fruit | Oval, glossy fruits are known as berries. They are usually red at maturity, but they can also be yellow or purple. The soft, fleshy tissue is edible and tastes sweet. The seed is protected by a hard casing known as a pyrene. |
| Habitat | It naturally occurs in humid, montane environments at altitudes of 950-1950 m. |
| Cultivation | In Singapore, Coffea arabica grows best in semi-shade, but becomes sickly under full sun. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds, Edible Fruits Others: The seeds are used to make coffee. First, the tough layer surrounding the seed is removed. The seed is then roasted, ground and mixed with hot water to make coffee. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers) (Day) |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Marcotting, Air-Layering |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red, Purple, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30551 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4860 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
