Coffea charrieriana is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family, belonging to the genus Coffea, which includes the commercially important coffee plants. The species is known from the montane forest region of western Cameroon in Central Africa. It is recognised in botanical databases such as the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (maintained by Kew Gardens) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) as a distinct taxon.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Order: Gentianales
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Genus: Coffea
- Species: C. charrieriana
The specific epithet “charrieriana” is derived from the surname of a botanist or collector associated with the plant’s discovery, following standard botanical naming conventions.
Description
Coffea charrieriana is described as a small evergreen shrub or tree. Like other Coffea species, it possesses opposite, simple leaves and produces terminal or axillary inflorescences bearing small, white, tubular flowers. The fruit is a drupe containing seeds commonly referred to as coffee beans. Detailed morphological measurements (e.g., leaf length, fruit size) are not widely published in open‑access sources.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is endemic to the high‑altitude forest zones of western Cameroon, typically occurring at elevations between 1,200 and 1,800 m above sea level. Its habitat comprises shaded understory environments within primary or secondary montane rainforests.
Conservation status
Because Coffea charrieriana is known from a limited number of collections and its range is restricted, it may be susceptible to habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion. However, an official IUCN Red List assessment has not been published; consequently, its conservation status remains formally unassessed.
Uses and significance
There is no evidence that C. charrieriana is cultivated for commercial coffee production. Its primary significance lies in its contribution to the genetic diversity of the Coffea genus, which is of interest for breeding programs aimed at disease resistance and climate adaptability in cultivated coffee species.
References
- Kew Gardens. “World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.” Accessed 2023.
- GBIF.org (2023). “Coffea charrieriana.” Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Note: Specific details regarding the original description (author name, year of publication) and comprehensive morphological data are not readily available in publicly accessible encyclopedic sources.