Rubiaceae (coffee or madder family)

Edward F. Gilman

This document provides an overview of the dwarf cultivar of Gardenia jasminoides, known as ‘Prostrata’ or trailing gardenia. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, and growth habit, highlighting its use as an attractive ground cover. The document details the plant’s leaf and flower features, soil and light requirements, and its moderate drought tolerance. Additionally, it addresses the plant’s susceptibility to pests and its propagation methods. The trailing gardenia is noted for its versatility in landscape applications, such as planter boxes, mass plantings, and cascading over walls. Original publication date October 1999.

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, and Gene Joyner

Edward F. Gilman

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Ixora coccinea, a shrub known for its vibrant, tube-shaped flowers that bloom year-round. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, leaf arrangement, and flower colors. The document also covers the plant’s ideal growing conditions, such as full sun and well-drained acidic soil, and notes its moderate drought tolerance and poor soil salt tolerance. Additionally, it highlights the plant’s uses in landscaping, its propagation methods, and common problems like chlorosis and pest issues. Original publication date October 1999. 

Brent Sellers, Brandon Fast, and Jason Ferrell

SS-AGR-314 describes this common broadleaf weed found in pastures, cultivated fields, waste areas, and roadsides throughout Florida. Includes a table detailing the efficacy of various herbicides at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and approximate cost.

Shaun M. Sharpe, Nathan S. Boyd, Chris Marble, and Shawn Steed

Brent Sellers, Lauren Butler, andJames McWhorter

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), detailing its characteristics, planting requirements, and uses. The purple coneflower is a herbaceous plant native to Florida, known for its daisy-like, pink to purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10 and can be planted year-round in zones 7 to 11. The plant is valued for its ornamental features, attracting butterflies, and its use in naturalizing and cut flowers. It has high drought tolerance but poor soil salt tolerance. The document also highlights its potential invasiveness, pest resistance, and the need for periodic division to maintain blooming. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Psychotria nervosa, commonly known as wild coffee, a native shrub of Florida. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its glossy green leaves, white flowers, and red fruit. The shrub is moderately drought-tolerant, thrives in partial to full shade, and is suitable for various landscape uses such as hedges, borders, and mass plantings. The document also highlights the plant’s non-invasive nature, moderate growth rate, and its attraction to birds. Additionally, it notes the plant’s adaptability to different soil types and its lack of serious pest issues. Original publication date September 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Alan Meerow, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the firebush (Hamelia patens), a large, soft-stemmed shrub native to Florida. It details the plant’s physical characteristics, including its height, spread, and distinctive orange-red flowers. The firebush is noted for its fast growth rate, evergreen leaves, and year-round flowering. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11 and is tolerant of various soil types and conditions. The document also highlights the plant’s uses in landscaping, its attractiveness to hummingbirds and butterflies, and its moderate drought tolerance. Additionally, it discusses propagation methods and potential pest issues.  Original publication date October 1999.

Mengzi Zhang, Annabella Lyndon, Brian Pearson, Brian J. Pearson, Christopher R. McCurdy, Abhisheak Sharma, andJianjun Chen

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a member of the family Rubiaceae, a group of plants known for producing diverse bioactive metabolites. Arguably, the most popular member of the Rubiaceae family is coffee (Coffea arabica), which yields seeds (coffee beans) that contain bioactive metabolites, including the central nervous system stimulant caffeine. Unlike coffee, kratom is a facultatively deciduous tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Other species closely related to kratom include M. hirsuta, M. diversifolia, and M. parvifolia. This publication offers educational insights into the horticultural aspects of kratom based on empirical scientific research for anyone interested in cultivating it.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Chiococca pinetorum, commonly known as the pineland snowberry. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its evergreen, leathery leaves and white to purple-white tubular flowers. The document highlights the plant’s uses, such as ground cover and mass planting, and its adaptability to various soil types and drought conditions. Additionally, it notes the plant’s native status in Florida, its non-invasive nature, and its high drought tolerance. The document also mentions that the plant is typically grown in small quantities by a limited number of nurseries and that it can attract birds with its white, fleshy fruits. Original publication date October 1999.

Evan Anderson, Pawel Petelewicz, and Chris Marble

This new 7-page article was written for homeowners and green industry professionals to aid in the identification and management of the three most common pusleys, including Florida, Brazilian, and largeflower pusley (Richardia spp.), in turfgrass and landscape planting beds. Written by Evan Anderson, Pawel Petelewicz, and Chris Marble, and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department.

Teagan Young and Sandra B. Wilson

Rubiaceae, a family known for its economic and ornamental significance, includes several native Florida species, such as wild coffee (Psychotria spp.). This publication focuses on identifying and propagating wild coffee species: P. nervosa, P. nervosa 'Little Psycho', P. nervosa 'Turtle Mound', P. tenuifolia, and P. ligustrifolia. These species thrive in various soil conditions and attract pollinators, making them valuable, adaptable, and appealing for sustainable landscapes and Florida gardens. Research on propagation methods revealed that while physiological dormancy makes seed germination challenging, softwood cuttings treated with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) showed high success rates in rooting. The publication outlines a production schedule, recommending specific substrates and misting techniques to optimize root development. It provides critical insights into enhancing the availability and cultivation of wild coffee species, promoting their use in Florida-friendly landscapes.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides a detailed description of the Coffea arabica plant, commonly known as the coffee shrub. It highlights the plant’s physical characteristics, including its glossy, dark green leaves, fragrant white flowers, and red berries containing coffee beans. The document outlines the plant’s growth requirements, such as its preference for partial shade and rich soil, and its moderate drought tolerance. Additionally, it discusses the plant’s uses in landscaping, its propagation by seed, and its susceptibility to pests like scales and mites. The coffee shrub is noted for its ornamental value and potential for home coffee production. Original publication date October 1999.

Stephen F. Enloe, Chris Marble, andKenneth A. Langeland

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Keighly Graves, Wendy Wilber, Tom Wichman, Claire Lewis, Gail Hansen, andRyan Klein

Seven year apple is a evergreen large shrub to small tree that is native to parts of Florida. It is notable for its large glossy foliage, showy flowers, and edible fruit. It may be used as a hedge, screen, attracting birds, or in coastal landscaping.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Randia aculeata, commonly known as white indigoberry. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, leaf arrangement, and flowering habits. The shrub is noted for its fragrant white flowers and white fruits, which attract birds. It thrives in well-drained sandy or rocky soils, is highly drought-tolerant, and has a high salt spray tolerance, making it suitable for coastal landscapes. The document also highlights its uses in landscaping, such as a specimen plant, foundation, or border shrub, and mentions its general pest resistance and non-invasive nature. Original publication date October, 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document serves as a comprehensive guide to the vibrant and diverse genus Celosia, detailing the cultivation and care of two prominent types: Celosia cristata, known for its unique crested flower heads, and Celosia plumosa, recognized by its feathery plumes. It outlines the plant’s growth habits, including height, spread, and leaf configuration, as well as the array of flower colors available. The guide provides practical advice on planting in various USDA hardiness zones, soil preferences, and managing common pests. It also introduces gardeners to notable Celosia cultivars and series, such as the compact ‘Jewel Box’ and ‘Kimono’ series, alongside the more statuesque ‘Floradale’ and ‘Castle’ series, aiding enthusiasts in selecting the right Celosia for their garden landscapes. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Suzanne Shuffit, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides a detailed overview of Pentas lanceolata, commonly known as pentas or Egyptian starcluster. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, growth rate, and flowering habits. The document highlights the plant’s adaptability to various soil types and its moderate drought tolerance. It also notes the plant’s popularity with butterflies and hummingbirds, and its use in containers, hanging baskets, and as an accent in gardens. Additionally, it covers planting guidelines, maintenance tips, and propagation methods, emphasizing the plant’s suitability for hardiness zones 8B through 11. Original publication date October 1999.