Coffea eugenioides (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Stimulant
Food security

distribution in Africa (wild)

1, flowering and fruiting twig; 2, stipule; 3, 2-flowered inflorescence with old flowers; 4, opened corolla with stamens; 5, fruit Redrawn and adapted by W. Wessel-Brand

collection in managed forest

palm-type branching and infructescence

fruiting branch, natural population

flowering branch, natural population

Coffea eugenioides S.Moore

Protologue: Journ. Bot. 45: 43 (1907).

Family: Rubiaceae

Chromosome number: 2n = 22

Synonyms

• Coffea intermedia (A.Froehner) A.Chev. (1939).

Vernacular names

• Nandi coffee (En).

Origin and geographic distribution

Coffea eugenioides is native to the highlands of East Africa, where it occurs in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and western Tanzania.

Uses

Uses Beans of Coffea eugenioides have a very low caffeine content and coffee made from them tastes mild and agreeable. Coffea eugenioides plays a role in breeding work of Coffea arabica L. and Coffea canephora A.Froehner, especially in broadening the genetic base and lowering the caffeine content. East African people have a long tradition of using the fruit of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, both from wild and cultivated plants, but they have never used that of Coffea eugenioides. Wild plants of the latter, which seemed outstanding in vigour and bean-size, produced progeny with low yields and of no economic value in cultivation.

Properties

Per 100 g dry matter, the seed of Coffea eugenioides contains only 0.3–0.6 g caffeine (compared with 0.6–1.7 g for Coffea arabica, and 1.5–3.3 g for Coffea canephora), making it an interesting parent in breeding work for low-caffeine coffee.

Description

Evergreen shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall; young branches usually glabrous, covered with moderately shiny, pale brown to buff bark. Leaves opposite, simple; stipules interpetiolar, triangular, 1.5–2.5 mm long, with an aristate tip up to 3.5 mm long; petiole 0.5–1 cm long; blade elliptical, 2–12 cm × 1–5.5 cm, acute at base, acuminate at apex, entire, papery to subcoriaceous, with or without domatia situated at the bases of lateral veins. Inflorescence an axillary fascicle, usually 1–2 single-flowered inflorescences per axil with stalk up to 6(–10) mm long, sometimes with fascicles of up to 5(–7) flowers. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous; cupular bracteoles usually 2, often with foliaceous lobes, scale-like bracteoles usually present on pedicels; calyx-limb reduced to a rim, shorter than the disk; corolla white, with cylindrical tube 5.5–10 mm long and oblong-lanceolate lobes 5–12 mm × 2–4 mm, acute to obtuse; stamens attached at corolla throat, exserted, erect, with short filaments; disk annular; ovary inferior, 2-locular with a single ovule per locule, style slender, exserted, stigma with 2 divergent arms. Fruit an ellipsoid to roundish drupe 8–10.5 mm × 6–8 mm, rounded at base, greenish becoming red when mature, with a longitudinal groove and (1–)2 pyrenes. Seeds 6–8 mm × 3–5 mm, grooved in inner face, yellowish to greenish-fawn; testa thin, shiny; endosperm horny.

Other botanical information

More than 100 Coffea species have been described, mainly from Africa. All species studied are diploid (2n = 22), except for the allotetraploid species Coffea arabica (2n = 44). Phylogenetic relationships of Coffea species inferred from chloroplast DNA variation and nuclear ribosomal DNA units confirmed a monophyletic origin of Coffea, with major groups presenting a strong geographical correspondence (West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and Madagascar). Recent investigations by means of molecular markers, gene sequencing and genomic in situ hybridization support the hypothesis of an allotetraploid origin of 'Coffea arabica' involving Coffea eugenioides as maternal progenitor and Coffea canephora as paternal progenitor. Other genomic in situ hybridization studies, however, indicate the closely related Coffea congensis A.Froehner as the paternal progenitor. Coffea eugenioides belongs to the so-called ‘arabica-congensis’ complex, together with 'Coffea arabica' L., Coffea congensis A.Froehner and Coffea kivuensis Lebrun. The species of this complex are closely related, which could be a consequence of very recent speciation processes. They are difficult to distinguish morphologically, and it is not possible to reliably differentiate the species on the basis of flowering specimens only. However, fruiting specimens can be identified confidently in almost every case. A study of the variation in morphology of the complex showed that Coffea kivuensis is best treated as a species distinct from Coffea eugenioides and not as it has been more commonly known as, a variety of the latter species. It can be distinguished by its larger, obovoid fruits with acute bases and without a longitudinal groove. Coffea kivuensis seems more closely related to Coffea congensis. The ‘arabica-congensis’ complex seems to consist of 2 groups of vicariant species: one group comprising 'Coffea arabica' and Coffea eugenioides, and the second Coffea congensis and Coffea kivuensis.

Growth and development

Coffea eugenioides is a common understorey species found in the form of a shrub, usually 2–3 m in height, with more than one main stem. When growing under shade in natural forest, it resembles a miniature 'Coffea arabica': the leaves are similar, but they are smaller and thinner; the flowers also resemble those of 'Coffea arabica', but they are smaller and there are seldom more than 2 or 3 in a cluster. The fruits are not abundant and contain very small beans. When Coffea eugenioides is growing in the open (e.g. in living collections) it becomes a compact conical shrub or small tree, with small leaves.

Ecology

Coffea eugenioides is found both in large forests and in small relict forests in the highlands, between 1500 and 2200 m altitude, but penetrates slightly into the lowlands in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kivu region) and the lowland forests of the Lake Victoria belt. It appears to be tolerant of a wide range of soils and to temporary drought conditions. In some localities in Uganda (Minziro forest, Budongo forest) Coffea eugenioides and Coffea canephora grow in close proximity, but differ in habitats: the former is restricted to the hillside forests or the drier eastern sides of the forests and grows near forest edges, while the latter is more abundant inside the forests, in hollows that are sometimes waterlogged or in the wetter western sides of the forests.

Diseases and pests

The two major diseases of coffee, leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) and coffee berry disease (Colletotrichum kahawae) have been observed on Coffea eugenioides in natural forests in Kenya. Mites and leaf miners are common on plants in rain forest and are considered pests of secondary importance. Some tolerance is reported to a number of nematodes, leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella) and leaf rust.

Genetic resources

Surveys of genetic erosion in wild coffee made by IBPGR in the Kenyan forest understorey revealed that 2 of 13 wild coffee sites had disappeared and only 2 out of 13 sites were secure in a national park. The other sites were highly threatened and required further monitoring to assure valuable in situ conservation.

In the 1970s, two field gene banks of 23 taxa were established in Côte d’Ivoire for ex situ conservation of the diploid African coffee species. Coffea eugenioides germplasm is represented by about 1000 accessions originating from 6 wild coffee populations in Kenya. One of these collections is located at 1100 m altitude (at Man on Mount Tonkoui) in accordance with its ecological adaptation. Plants are grafted on to well-adapted rootstocks. A duplicate of this field collection is maintained at the Coffee Research Institute, Ruiru (Kenya). In other countries, a few samples of Coffea eugenioides are present in working collections.

Coffee seeds are not considered orthodox because they are not tolerant of dessication or low temperature. They cannot be used for long-term conservation. As an alternative approach, development of an in-vitro coffee core collection was initiated at ORSTOM (Montpellier) in the 1990s, representing 21 taxa; unfortunately, introduction of Coffea eugenioides was not successful.

Prospects

Because of its low caffeine content of its beans and its good cup quality, Coffea eugenioides may gain some importance in breeding work on 'Coffea arabica' and Coffea canephora.

Major references

• Anthony, F., Berthaud, J., Guillaumet, J.L. & Lourd, M., 1987. Collecting wild Coffea species in Kenya and Tanzania. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 69: 23–29.

• Berthaud, J., Guillaumet, J.L., Le Pierres, D. & Lourd, M., 1980. Les caféiers sauvages du Kenya: prospection et mise en culture. Café, Cacao, Thé 24(2): 101–112.

• Bridson, D. & Verdcourt, B., 1988. Rubiaceae (part 2). In: Polhill, R.M. (Editor). Flora of Tropical East Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands. pp. 415–747.

• Charrier, A. & Berthaud, J., 1985. Botanical classification of Coffee. In: Clifford, M.N. & Wilson, K.C. (Editors). Coffee: botany, biochemistry and production of beans and beverage. Croom Helm, London, United Kingdom. pp. 13–47.

• Chevalier, A., 1947. Les caféiers du globe. Fascicule 3: Systématique sur les caféiers et faux caféiers. Maladies et insectes nuisibles. Encyclopédie biologique. Volume 28. P. Lechevalier, Paris, France. 356 pp.

• Lebrun, J., 1941. Recherches morphologiques et systématiques sur les caféiers du Congo. Institut Royal Colonial Belge. Mémoires t. 11(3). 184 pp.

• Stoffelen, P., Robbrecht, E. & Smets, E., 1996. The ‘arabica-congensis complex’: five Coffea-species with a problematic delimitation. In: Robbrecht, E., Puff, C. & Smets, E. (Editors). Second international Rubiaceae conference. Proceedings. Opera Botanica Belgica 7. National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise, Belgium. pp. 237–248.

• Thomas, A.S., 1944. The wild coffees of Uganda. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 12(45): 1–12.

Other references

• Anthony, F., 1992. Les ressources génétiques des caféiers. Collecte, gestion d’un conservatoire et évaluation de la diversité génétique. ORSTOM, Paris, France. Travaux et Documents Microédités (FRA) (TDM) No 81 (1991). 320 pp.

• Cros, J., Combes, M.C., Chabrillange, N., Duperray, C., Monnot des Angles, A. & Hamon, S., 1995. Nuclear DNA content in the subgenus Coffea (Rubiaceae): inter and intra-specific variation in African species. Canadian Journal of Botany 73: 14–20.

• Cros, J., Combes, M.C., Trouslot, P., Anthony, F., Hamon, S., Charrier A. & Lashermes, P., 1998. Phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast DNA variation in Coffea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 9: 109–117.

• Dussert, S., Engelmann, F., Chabrillange, N., Anthony, F., Noirot, M. & Hamon, S., 1997. In vitro conservation of coffee (Coffea spp.) germplasm. In: Razdan, M.K. & Cocking, E.C. (Editors). Conservation of plant genetic resources in vitro. Volume 1: General aspects. Science Publishers, Enfield, New Hampshire, United States. xiv + 314 pp.

• Hofling, J.F. & Oliveira, A.R., 1981. A serological investigation of some Coffea species with emphasis on the origin of C. arabica L. Ciencia e Cultura 33: 66–72.

• Lashermes, P., Combes, M.C., Trouslot, P. & Charrier, A., 1997. Phylogenetic relationships of coffee-tree species as inferred from ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 94: 947–955.

• Marques, D.V., 1993. Induction of somatic embryogenesis on Coffea eugenioides Moore by in vitro culture of leaf explants. Café, Cacao, Thé 37: 251–255.

• Rabemiafara, A., Rakotomalala, J.J.R. & Rakotomalala, J.O.E., 1997. Vers la diversification de la qualité du café malgache: un nouveau caféier hybride, le ‘Ratelo’ ou GCA. 17e Colloque Scientifique International sur le Café, Nairobi, Kenya, 20–25 July 1997. Association Scientifique Internationale du Café (ASIC), Paris, France. pp. 506–513.

• Raina, S.N., Mukai, Y. & Yamamoto, M., 1998. In situ hybridization identifies the diploid progenitor species of Coffea arabica (Rubiaceae). Theoretical and Applied Genetics 97: 1204–1209.

Sources of illustration

• Bridson, D. & Troupin, G., 1985. Rubiaceae. In: Troupin, G. (Editor). Flore du Rwanda. Spermatophytes. Volume 3. Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique. Tervuren, Belgium. pp. 122–231.

Author(s)

• A. Charrier, Génétique et amélioration des plantes, Ecole nationale supérieure agronomique de Montpellier, 2 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, Cedex 1, France

Correct citation of this article

Charrier, A., 2002. Coffea eugenioides S.Moore. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Oyen, L.P.A. & Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>.

Accessed 18 December 2024.

• See the Prota4U database.