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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 18 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Western Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tree up to 18 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, leathery leaves are elliptic with wavy leaf margin. The leaf blade bulges between the veins, creating a wrinkled leaf texture. |
| Flowers | White, fragrant flowers are tubular and star-shaped. They are arranged in clusters near the branch tips. |
| Fruit | The cherry-like fruit (3-3.5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide) typically contain 2 seeds which are commonly referred to as beans. The cream-coloured to light brown seeds are oval with slightly pointed opposite ends. |
| Cultivation | This species is highly disease resistant compared to the species typically used to make coffee (Coffea arabica and C. canephora). In Singapore, Coffea liberica grows best in semi-shade, but becomes sickly under full sun. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It is grown in West Africa, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries for use in making coffee. The flavour of Liberica coffee is usually considered undesirable, so there is little demand for its beans. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1527 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2820 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
