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tags: [] - coffee/plant-science aliases: - Coffee botany - Coffee plant biology - Coffea botany overview

Coffee Botany Overview

Tags: #coffee/plant-science Aliases: Coffee botany, Coffee plant biology, Coffea botany overview Related: Coffee Plant Science MOC | Coffea | Coffea Genus | Coffee Bean Structure | Coffee Belt Status: 🌱 Stub

Overview

Coffee botany is the branch of plant science concerned with the biology, taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology of Coffea — the genus of flowering plants that produces coffee. The genus belongs to the family Rubiaceae and comprises approximately 130 species, of which Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta) account for virtually all commercial production. Coffee plants are woody evergreen shrubs or small trees that bear fruit (the coffee cherry) containing one or two seeds — the coffee beans. Botanical understanding of the coffee plant underpins agronomy, variety development, disease management, and the science of how growing conditions shape flavour potential in the green bean.

Key Facts

  • Coffea belongs to the family Rubiaceae; approximately 130 known species, two commercially dominant
  • Coffea arabica is unique as a naturally occurring tetraploid (allopolyploid hybrid of C. canephora × C. eugenioides)
  • Coffee plants are woody perennial shrubs flowering in synchrony with rain; cherries take approximately nine months to develop from flower to ripe fruit
  • The coffee cherry contains two seeds (occasionally one peaberry); the seed = the green coffee bean
  • All wild Coffea genetic diversity is native to tropical Africa and Madagascar

References

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