Psychotria sulzneri
Velvet Leaf Wild Coffee
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Form: Evergreen shrub reaching 5-8 ft. in height and 4 ft. width
- Leaves: 4-7 in. long, dull blue-green, oblanceolate, with prominent veins on the underside. The surface of the leaf has a puckered effect
- Stem/Bark: Green to reddish brown, nodes are somewhat prominent
- Flower: Small white flowers in panicled clusters, bisexual
- Fruit: Showy, dark red berries in clusters, up to ¼ inch across. Two seeds per fruit, appearing to be split in half
- Comments: Two other native species of wild coffee exist. P. nervosa, the shiny leaf and P. ligustrifolia, the bahama coffee. P. sulzneri can be distinguished by having dull, blue-green leaves that are pilose on the under surface and with less conspicuous venation. All species of Psychotria attract wildlife. Although found as an understory plant, P. sulzneri has been successfully used in the landscape in full sun
