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Taxa

Coffea

Plant Genera

Coffea is a genus of flowering plants, family Rubiaceae, comprising more than 120 species of shrubs or small trees native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia. The seeds of some species, called coffee beans, are roasted and ground to brew coffee; two species dominate world production, Coffea arabica at about 55 percent and Coffea canephora, known as robusta, at about 45 percent. Coffee is one of the worlds most valuable and widely traded commodity crops and a crucial export for many countries across Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Genus 1
Scientific Name
Coffea L. 1
Member Species/Taxa Count
133 1
Geographic Distribution
Native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia 1
Defining Characteristics
Grows to a height of 3-3.5 m (10-11.5 ft) as a vigorous bush or small tree in the tropics 1
Member Count Band
100 to 1000 Species 3
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Highly scented white flowers; red or purple fruit (coffee cherry) that is a berry or drupe containing two seeds 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Coffea
Filter Results1 entry

Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)

Coffea
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica), Species
Source Wikidata: Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Southern Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Coffea - Wikipedia
  • Lead paragraph, first sentence
    Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae.
  • Introduction
    Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae.
  • Species section, header sentence
    As of January 2026, Plants of the World Online accepts the following 133 species and one hybrid
  • Lead paragraph
    Coffea species are shrubs or small trees native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia.
  • Description section, height sentence
    When grown in the tropics, coffee is a vigorous bush or small tree that usually grows to a height of 3-3.5 m (10-11+1/2 ft).
  • Description section, flower and fruit sentence
    The white flowers are highly scented. The trees produce edible red or purple fruits that are either epigynous berries or indehiscent drupes.
  • In Group: Coffee Family Genera (Rubiaceae), Lead
    Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae.
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ156354, descriptionView the Source
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Coffea
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
Quote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 134
View the Source
Wikidata: Coffea
Wikidata Q156354, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Wikidata: Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)
Parent Taxon Of: Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica), Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q156354 (Coffea)View the Source
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