Item Tag: Psychotria nervosa

Test Florida Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) Check out our other listings! Wild Coffee is a low growing, evergreen shrub with shiny, pleated, dark green leaves that can be found growing in Florida hammocks and pinelands throughout much of the state. Native Americans brewed wild coffee beans for ceremonies and medicinal purposes, but wild coffee isn’t considered palatable today, nor does it contain caffeine. Instead, the plant is a favorite of landscapers and homeowners because of its contrasting green leaves and red berries, along with its pleasing fragrance. The name ‘wild coffee’ is derived from the appearance of the berries, which resemble true coffee beans. In regards to its scientific name, the genus Psychotria comes from the Greek psyché, which means “life” or “soul” and may refer to the medicinal properties of some plants within the genus. The species epithet nervosa is from the Latin nervosus, meaning “sinewy,” and likely refers to the plant’s conspicuous veination. Clusters of small white flowers emerge from the branch tips in spring and summer, with the bright, ruby red berries forming in late summer and early fall. Grows to between 4 and 10 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet in width. When fully grow the plant resembles a small tree. Does best in partial to full shade, and has moderate tolerance to both drought and salt. Birds (mockingbirds, blue jays, cardinals, and many others) and other wildlife are attracted to wild coffee fruits, while the flowers are one of the nectar sources for the rare Atala butterfly found primarily in southeast Florida. The Florida State Butterfly, zebra longwing, is also quite fond of the flowers! A stunning plant that will make an excellent addition to any butterfly garden. Note that these seeds were harvested from berries hand-picked off wild coffee plants in Sarasota County, FL. Florida Wild Coffee Germination Guide Start wild coffee seeds indoors in individual 4 in pots. Sow seeds in pre-moistened mix of half coarse sand and half commercial potting mix. Press the seeds onto the surface of the sand mixture. Sprinkle a very fine layer of soil over the seeds. Cover the pots with a propagation dome to help hold in humidity and warmth. Warm the trays to 75°F using a heating mat if daytime temperatures stay below 65°F for an extended period of time. Maintain constant moisture on the surface of the sand mixture to ensure the seeds never fully dry out. Water with a spray bottle to keep from displacing the seeds. Add water until the top inch of the growing mixture feels moderately moist. Watch for germination two months after sowing, although don’t be surprised if it takes several more months for some of the wild coffee seeds to sprout. Keep the seedlings under the propagation dome until they reach 2 inches in height. Move the wild coffee seedlings outdoors into a lightly shaded area. Provide water whenever their growing mixture feels mostly dry in the top inch. Be sure they remain in light shade for their first summer. Increase watering in periods of extreme heat or drought. Transplant the wild coffee saplings into a permanent bed in early autumn. Choose a lightly shaded planting site with moist, loamy soil. Space plants 6 to 10 feet apart. Contact Us Don’t hesitate to contact us via eBay messages if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We’re always happy to hear from our customers, and we’ll gladly assist you in any way we can. Shipping All orders are shipped for free via eBay Standard Envelope, which includes tracking. Disclaimer We do everything we can to ensure your seeds will arrive to you in the best condition possible. Unfortunately, accidents can happen once the seeds leave our care and are with the U.S. Postal Service. If you aren’t 100% satisfied with the condition your seeds are in once they reach you, please contact us immediately and we’ll do our best to correct the issue.