Coffea is a genus composed of flowering shrubs and small trees found in tropical and southern Africa as well as tropical Asia. Certain species produce seeds commonly referred to as coffee beans, and the plants bear white, fragrant flowers.

Coffea

Coffea arabica is a perennial shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, featuring a glossy, deep green appearance. After about four years of growth, the plant produces small, fragrant white flowers in the leaf axils during the summer months. Following the flowering period, green fruits develop, maturing over several months into red berries often referred to as "cherries." Each cherry contains two seeds, known as coffee beans. Under optimal growing conditions, it is feasible to collect enough beans for brewing a cup of home-grown coffee.

Coffea arabica

Coffea arabica 'Brasilian Bush'

Coffea arabica 'Nana'

Coffea arabica var. xanthocarpa

Coffea canephora is a perennial shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. It features pairs of glossy, dark green leaves arranged oppositely along the stems. During the summer months, it produces fragrant white flowers with five petals, which emerge from the leaf axils. These flowers give way to green fruits that take several months to mature, eventually turning into red berries commonly referred to as "cherries." Each berry typically contains two seeds, known as coffee beans.

Coffea canephora

Coffea liberica is an evergreen shrub or tree that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. It features opposite pairs of large, shiny, dark green leaves, which can grow as long as 30 centimeters. In summer, it produces fragrant white flowers from the leaf axils. These flowers develop into green fruits that gradually mature into red "cherries." Each fruit houses two seeds, commonly known as coffee beans.

Coffea liberica

Coffea montekupensis

Coffea racemosa is a semi-evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 2.5 meters. It features pairs of leathery, shiny leaves arranged oppositely along the stems. During the summer months, mature specimens produce aromatic white flowers, which are subsequently succeeded by clusters of round, purple-black fruits commonly referred to as "cherries." These fruits develop slowly over time.

Coffea racemosa

Coffea stenophylla is an upright, evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 4 meters. It features glossy, opposite leaves that can grow up to 20 centimeters long, tapering to a sharp point. During the summer, the plant blooms with white flowers, which are succeeded by small, oval-shaped black fruits that take several months to mature.

Coffea stenophylla

Coffea zanguebariae is a semi-evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 4 meters. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and have a thin, leathery texture, predominantly found on the newer growth. During the summer months, mature specimens yield fragrant white flowers, which are then succeeded by dark brown, spherical fruits known as "cherries" that ripen gradually.