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 Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionNative to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia 1 Defining CharacteristicsGrows to a height of 3-3.5 m (10-11.5 ft) as a vigorous bush or small tree in the tropics 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceHighly scented white flowers; red or purple fruit (coffee cherry) that is a berry or drupe containing two seeds 1 Classification
Living or Extinct Connections
Parent Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
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 Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ156354, descriptionView 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 Reader Challenges (0)
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