False coffee (Faramea occidentalis, A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 4: 497 (1830))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: (L.) A.Rich.

Bibliography: A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 4: 497 (1830)

Year: 1830

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Faramea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

False coffee is a remarkable plant that thrives primarily in tropical regions extending from Mexico to tropical America. Known scientifically as Faramea occidentalis, this species has been recognized and categorized for nearly two centuries, with its detailed description first crafted by the influential botanist A.P. de Candolle in 1830.

Belonging to the Rubiaceae family, Faramea occidentalis shares its lineage with many notable and economically significant plants, including the coffee plant, although it is not used for coffee production itself. It is often appreciated for its attractive foliage and structural form, making it a valuable component in the habitats where it naturally occurs.

The plant exhibits a variety of distinctive characteristics that contribute to its identification and appreciation among botanists and plant enthusiasts. It has been predominantly observed throughout the expansive regions from Mexico down through Central America and into the tropical areas of South America. This widespread distribution showcases its adaptability to various tropical climates and terrains.

Understanding False coffee involves appreciating not just its biological and ecological aspects, but also its historical and botanical significance. Being described by the prominent botanist A.P. de Candolle and having its authorship attributed to (L.) A.Rich., it holds a notable position in the botanical records.

For those interested in tropical flora, Faramea occidentalis stands out not just for its common name, “False coffee,” but for its role in the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. Its study offers insights into the complex interactions within tropical ecosystems and the evolutionary pathways of the Rubiaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: false coffee
En: False coffee

Synonyms

• Ixora americana (L.)
• Tetramerium occidentale ((L.) Nees ex Mart.)
• Faramea tenuifolia (Rusby)
• Faramea cyanea (Müll.Arg.)
• Neleixa prostrata (Raf.)
• Coussarea americana ((L.) M.Gómez)
• Darluca prostrata (Raf.)
• Coussarea odoratissima (M.Gómez)
• Faramea occidentalis var. meridionalis (Steyerm.)
• Tetramerium odoratissimum (C.F.Gaertn.)
• Antoniana laurifolia (Tussac)
• Faramea odoratissima (DC.)
• Faramea occidentalis var. brachycalyx (Steyerm.)
• Coffea occidentalis ((L.) Jacq.)
• Ixora occidentalis (L.)
• Faramea warmingiana (Müll.Arg.)
• Faramea zetekii (Standl.)
• Faramea americana ((L.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

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.

Fruit

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Jun 24, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2898087)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1187456-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Faramea occidentalis (L.) A.Rich.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth