Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa): Native Florida Shrub with Red Berries

Psychotria nervosa, known as Wild Coffee, is a native Florida shrub with glossy, deeply veined leaves and clusters of small, bright red berries. It's a valuable wildlife plant for naturalistic landscapes.

Botanical Profile

Culture & Ecology

Native to Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, this evergreen shrub grows 4–10 feet tall in shade. The leaves are opposite, elliptical, with prominent impressed veins. Small, white flowers appear in spring, followed by 0.25-inch red drupes that attract birds. It thrives in shade to part sun, moist, well-drained soil.

Hardy in zones 9–11. Use in native plant gardens, understory plantings, and wildlife habitats. The berries are not for human consumption (though related to coffee). A shade-tolerant, ecologically valuable native for southern landscapes.