Coffea stenophylla

Coffea stenophylla is native to the West African countries of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Sierra Leone.[2] The plant grows as a shrub or tree, to a height of up to 20 feet.

Ripe C. stenophylla berries are a dark purple, in contrast to C. arabica, whose berries turn red when ripe.[3]

The specific epithet is derived from the Greek: stenos (narrow) and phyllon (leaf) to give “narrow-leaved”.[4]

Coffea stenophylla was discovered by Swedish botanist Adam Afzelius in the 18th century, and first published by Scottish botanist George Don.[1][5]

A sample of seeds was obtained by Sir William H. Quayle Jones, the Deputy Governor of Sierra Leone, in 1894. The plant was cultivated by the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, and samples were sent to Trinidad.

J. H. Hart, F.L.S, the Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, reported in 1898 that the plants had fruited for the first time, four years from being planted. He described the flavour of the prepared cup of coffee as excellent, and equal to the finest Coffea arabica.[3]