Family: Rhamnaceae
Author: (L.) Brongn.
Bibliography: Mém. Fam. Rhamn.: 62 (1826)
Year: 1826
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Colubrina
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: SE. Kenya to Mozambique and Pacific
Description
Wild coffee, scientifically known as Colubrina asiatica, is a notable species within the Rhamnaceae family. First documented in 1826 in “Mém. Fam. Rhamn.: 62” by the botanist (L.) Brongn., this plant has garnered attention for its widespread distribution and remarkable adaptability.
This resilient species thrives predominantly in the coastal regions stretching from Southeastern Kenya to Mozambique and extends its presence across various Pacific territories. The adaptability of Colubrina asiatica to these diverse environments underpins its ecological significance and its role within these ecosystems.
Distinguished by its robust growth habit, wild coffee is well-regarded both for its practical uses and its aesthetic appeal. It is often observed in areas where its hardiness and ability to withstand different climatic conditions make it a valuable plant for stabilization and rehabilitation of coastal lands.
Moreover, its historical and ethnobotanical relevance adds layers to its importance, where different cultures along its distribution range have utilized various parts of the plant for medicinal purposes, tools, and even as a coffee substitute, hence the common name.
Colubrina asiatica remains a subject of interest not just for botanists and ecologists but also for those passionate about understanding the intricate relationships between plants and traditional human practices. It’s a species that embodies resilience and versatility, offering much to learn from and to utilize sustainably.
Common Names
Eng: asian nakedwood, indian snakewood, beach berrybush, wild coffee
Msa: peria laut
En: Wild coffee, Beach berrybush, Indian snakewood, Asian nakedwood, Asian snakewood, Latherleaf
Zh: 亞洲濱棗
Ms: Peria laut
Ml: കടപ്പ
Zh-tw: 亞洲濱棗
Th: ผักหวานทะเล
Synonyms
- Rhamnus asiatica ((L.) Poir.)
- Tralliana scandens (Lour.)
- Trymalium capsulare (G.Don)
- Rhamnus scandens ((Lour.) Spreng.)
- Ceanothus leschenaultii (DC.)
- Tubanthera katapa (Raf.)
- Pomaderris capsularis (Montrouz.)
- Rhamnus splendens (Blume)
- Sageretia splendens ((Blume) G.Don)
- Ceanothus capsularis (G.Forst.)
- Ceanothus asiaticus (L.)
- Paliurus asiaticus (Noronha)
Distribution
- Aldabra (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Cook Is. (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Hawaii (native)
- India (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kazan-retto (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Laccadive Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maldives (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marquesas (native)
- Marshall Is. (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Mozambique Channel I (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nauru (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Niue (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Society Is. (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- South China Sea (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tokelau-Manihiki (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Tuamotu (native)
- Tubuai Is. (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)
Taken Sep 28, 2018 by Lezly Mendoza (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Eglantine CADENA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Zoé Thivet (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Noel Dionson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2009 by EOL − Ria Tan (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 28, 2018 by Lezly Mendoza (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2008 by EOL − David Eickhoff (cc-by)
Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Eglantine CADENA (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Noel Dionson (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Mirhani Nourddine (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Steve FAAEVA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2017 by Tela Botanica − _ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Zoé Thivet (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − K. R. Wood (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − K. R. Wood (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 8, 2007 by EOL − David Eickhoff (cc-by)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5372467)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1013670-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Colubrina asiatica (L.) Brongn.)