Wild Coffee
Psychotria nervosa
Wild coffee is one of our most shade tolerant native shrubs with shiny, dark green leaves and red berries. It grows to six feet or more tall in rich hammock soil. Wild coffee should be protected from continuous direct sun and wind. This is a very tropical looking shrub.
Although it can take long periods of drought, this is the first plant to show wilt. Just give it a little water and it will perk up within the hour. Long periods of drought may cause some of the upper portion to die back, even with established plants. When rains come, the plant quickly regains its height.
The white flowers are showy in late summer and attract many pollinators. The red berries brighten the yard in late fall and early winter. These are edible, but not very tasty; birds love them.
This is a little too fast growing to make a foundation planting. Try as a specimen on the corner or windowless portions of the north or east sides of the house. A mixed hedge under shade may consist of Wild Coffee, Marlberry, White, Spanish, Red and Simpson Stoppers and Mysine.
These also look nice along the outer edge of a densely planted grove of hammock trees. In this situation, blend in Snowberry, Beautyberry, Wild Plumbago, Jamaica Caper and other hammock species to capture the look of a coastal hammock.