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 Sources
1. Coffea - Wikipedia
Lead paragraph, first sentence
Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae.
Scientific classification infobox, Genus row
Genus: Coffea L.
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.
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