Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

242. Caf eillo, f alse-coff ee
MADDER FAMILY (RUBIACEAE)
This shrub or small tree is distinguished by : (1)
very long lateral branches bbi-ring numerous opposite
leaves; (2) elli tic, shiny dark green leaves,
abruptly lon6-pointe~at apes and short-pointed at
base, and with a pair of bristle-tipped scales
(stipules) l/s inch or more in length between each
2 leaves; (3) fragrant white flowers with narrow
tube about 5/8 inch long and 4 widely spreadmg,
narrow, pointed corolla lobes about s/8 inch long,
in loosely branched terminal and lateral clusters;
and (4) hard black fruits about s/s inch in diameter,
rounded but broader than long.
en shrub or small tree 10-30 feet-or more
in heig t and 3 inches or more in trunk d~ameter.
The gray or brown bark is smoothish and sl~ghtly
fissured. Inner bark is light brown, nlmost tasteless,
Twigs are slender and green with rings at
nodes.
The leaves have petioles %-1/2 inch long and
blades 3-6 inches long and 1-3 inches broad, not
toothed at edges, slightly thickened, and paler
reen beneath. The foliage darkens or becomes
flackish upon drying.
Flower clusters ( ankles) are 14 inches long,
with few to several E owers on long slender stalks.
The tubular base (h panthium) '/ls inch long
bears a cup-shaped ca i yx more than inch long
with 4 minute teeth ; the white corolla has a narrow
tube % inch or less in length and 4 lobes; the 4
stamens are inserted in the mouth of corolla tube;
and the pistil has an inferior 1-celled ovary, slender
style, and 2-forked stigma. Often flower buds
are deformed as. insect galls, the corolla enlarged
near base and mlth very short lobes.
Faramea occidentalk (L,) A. Rich.
The fruits (drupes) have calyx remaining at
apex and contain 1 large rounded brown seed with
a depression on 1 side. Flowering in spring and
summer, the fruits maturing in summer and fall.
The wood is light brown or yellow, hard, and
moderately heavy, and takes a good polish. Generally
too small for other than fuelmood use in
Puerto Rico but reported as used in carpentry elsewhere.
Understory tree or shrub in forests of moist
limestone and lower mountain regions in Puerto
Rico. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St.
John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda.
Ponuc FORESTS. - Luquillo, Guajataca, Rio
Abajo, Susca.
RANGE.-Through West Indies from Cuba and
Jamaica to Barbados and Trinidad md Tobago.
Also from central Mexico through Central
America to Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and the
Guianas.
OTH~ COMMON NAMEB.-P~~O de toro, caM cimahn
(Puerto Rico) ; cafstillo (Dominican Republic)
; hiquillo, caf6 cimarr6n, jGcaro, jiijano,
nabaco (Cuba) ; hueso (Mexico) ; cafecillo (Mexico,
El Salvador) ; huesito (Panama) ; cafecillo,
cafecillo de dnnta, jnsmin de estrella (Venezuela) ;
jhjamo, cafetillo de monte (Ecuador) ; wild-coffee
(Jsmaicn, St, Hitts, Bfontserrst, St. Vincent,
Barbados) ; caf6 marron, bois flkche (Guadeloupe)
.
BOTANICAL SYNONYB~-~U?'U~U O~OTU&~~W
DC.