Taxonomy_of_the_coffee_plant

Taxonomy 

of the 

Coffee Plant 

1

Welcome to our Seminar 

Block1 

Lesson B1.1 

2

3

The taxonomy of the coffee plant 

Classification of coffee 

Morphological characteristics of different varieties 

Source Wikipedia 

4

This lection will give an introduction on the botany of coffee plants. It will give an overview on plant 

taxonomy and will cover the placement of the genus Coffea within that hierarchical system of botanical 

nomenclature. 

I will introduce the main species that are used commercially in the genus Coffea, which includes Coffea 

arabica, also called Arabica, and Coffea canephora, also called Robusta. 

Lastly this lection will also introduce important varieties and how varieties can be distinguished by 

morphological characteristics, called traits. 

5

Part 1 

Classification 

• C. arabica and C. canephora 

• Where does coffee belong in the world 

of botany? 

• What is taxonomy? 

• Coffee species of the world 

6

7

Coffea arabica 

Arabica coffee 

Coffea arabica L. 

• Originally from SW-Ethiopia (montane forests) 

• Adapted to high lands (high altitude) 

• Cultivation in Brazil and Colombia 

• Many varieties, e.g. Typica, Bourbon etc. 

• Height: 2 - 6 m, often bushy growth 

• Crop after 3 - 5 years 

• Age in plantation 30 – 50 years (in nature > 80) 

• Around 60 % of world coffee production 

• Susceptible to diseases 

• Optimal temperature for vegetative growth (Coffea): 

day: 23 – 28 °C, night: 18 – 23 °C 

• Weak-bodied, acidic, aromatic 

Forest & Kim Starr 

Forrest & Kim Starr 

Wikipedia 

Marcelo Corrêa 

Marcelo Corrêa 

J.M. Hullot 

Fernando Rebêlo 

Fernando Rebelo 

8

Coffea arabica originated from southwest Ethiopia, where it still inhabits the montane forest on each side of the 

Great rift valley. As it grows up to 2800 meters in its original habitat, it is adapted to high altitudes. But after 

Arabica coffee was spread all over the world it is nowadays cultivated for example in Brazil at low altitudes and 

in the Andean mountains of Colombia, which are the two main producers of Arabica coffee. Arabica coffee is 

differentiated in many varieties that are grown in different parts of the world. The two oldest varieties that have 

spread around the world in the 18 th century were Typica and Bourbon and they are still grown today in few 

regions, e.g. in Guatemala. These renowned varieties are discussed later in more detail as they were the basis 

for coffee cultivation in the 18 th and 19 th century. The height of the plant can be several meters but in order to 

facilitate harvest of the cherries, it is often grown as a bush. So the plant is cut at the top in order to have it not 

growing higher than 2 meters. After plantation of the tree, a small crop can be expected after 3 years and the 

plant will become fully productive only after five years in the plantation. The age of the plantation is between 30 

to 50 years, but of course it can grow much older, but it loses productivity and it is more favourable to cut it 

down. In nature coffee can get older than 80 years, which however depends on the competitive strength of the 

individual plant. In terms of production, 60% of coffee is produced as Arabica coffee, which is also sold at much 

higher prices compared to Robusta coffee, which covers the remaining 40%. The main disadvantage of 

Arabica coffee is its susceptibility to diseases, especially coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease (which only 

occurs in Africa till now). 

9

Coffea canephora 

Coffea canephora Pierre ex. Froehn. 

• Originally from western and central Africa 

• Adapted to hot climate (tropical lowlands) 

• Cultivation in Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Ivory Coast 

• Few varieties, e.g. Robusta, Kouilou 

• Height: up to 8 m, often bushy growth 

• Crop after 3 - 5 years 

• Age in plantation 30 – 50 years (in nature >80) 

• Around 40 % of world coffee production 

• Resistant to diseases 

• Full-bodied, more bitter, less aromatic, less acidic 

Wouter Hagens 

Jeevan Jose 

Namas Bhojani 

C. Barbedo 


10

Coffea canephora is commonly known as Robusta coffee. Although Robusta was only the name for one cultivar 

in central Africa, the whole species is now commonly known by that name. Robusta is adapted to the tropical 

lowland of Central and western Africa, but it was originally detected and described in the uplands of Ethiopia. 

Being an important species for coffee cultivation, Robusta is now grown in many more areas outside Africa - 

especially in Vietnam and Indonesia. However, for Robusta it is harder to distinguish varieties, but rather 

cultivars with loose regional connections became a name, e.g. Robusta and Kouilou. The tree grows more than 

10 meter, but it is often cultivated rather bushy in plantations to facilitate harvesting of the cherries. Another 

similarity to Arabica coffee is the time before a first crop can be harvested, which is around 3 years. However, 

Robusta is much more productive than Arabica, yet the age in plantation does not differ much as also Robusta 

loses productivity with age. Robusta also produces coffee with lower quality than Arabica and is grown to a 

lesser extent than Arabica, which is approximately 40% of yearly coffee production. Robusta is often used in 

blends and to produce instant coffee. 

11

Where does coffee belong? 

Order: Gentianales 

The Gentianales consits of 5 families, among them 

• Gentianaceae: Gentian family 

• Apocynaceae: Dogbane family (e.g. oleander) 

gentian 

• Rubiacecae (common madder, yellow bedstraw, sweetscented bedstraw) 

oleander 

sweetscented bedstraw 

− 

Cinchonoideae (Cinchona - Jesuit's bark) 

− 

Cinchona 

Rubioideae (Rubia - madder; Morinda - Indian mulberry) 

− 

Ixoroideae (Gardenia jasmonides ; Coffea) 

Rubia 

Subfamily Ixoroideae: 

• 15 tribes, e.g. Coffeeae 

• 15 genera, one is Coffea 

Gardenia 

Morinda 

• This genus Coffea includes 125 species, thus 125 different coffee species, but only 2 commercialized. 

12

In order to classify the position of coffee in the Kingdom of the plants, one usually looks at close relatives within the 

plant order or within the plant family. The order Gentiales consists of 5 families, among them the family Rubiaceae, 

Gentianaceae and Apocynaceae. 

Within the Rubiaceae, three subfamilies are distinguished. One of the subfamilies is Cinchonoideae, where one 

known medicinal product is the Jesuit’s bark (or Cinchona bark). Those Cinchona trees or bushes have bitter tasting 

bark, which was already discovered by the Quechua people of Peru. Therefore, they used to be cultivated to extract 

quinines from its bark to treat malaria and fever or it was also used in bitter lemon. Nowadays quinines are 

synthesized chemically. 

Within the Rubioideae, one known plant is the noni tree (Morinda citrifolia or Indian mulberry), which is used in 

traditional Chinese medicine. Noni juice contains many active phytochemicals that also was a reason for its 

commercialization. Another important species is the genus Rubia, where some species were used as dyes, e.g. 

common madder (Rubia tinctorum or dyer's madder) as a traditional coloring plant. The roots contain red colorant, 

which were used already in ancient Roman times and the eponymous term Rubia is latin for red that gave the name 

to the family. 

Within the third genus Ixoroideae, Gardenia is closest related genus to coffee. This genus consists of small, 

evergreen shrubs and because of its heavily fragrant, white flowers, plants of this genus are widely used in gardens 

in warm climates. Within the Ixoroideae 15 tribes are distinguished, whereof one is Coffeeae. The tribe Coffeeae in 

turn contains 15 genera, whereof one is Coffea. Within the genus Coffea 125 species of coffee are included, 

whereof only 2 species are used economically. 

13

Where does coffee belong? 

Family: Rubiaceae 

• 610 genera with around 13.000 species (Davis et al. 2009) 

• Cosmopolitan distribution 

− Mainly in tropics and subtropics 

− Only few species in temperate and colder climate zones 

• In (sub-)tropics: bushes or trees 

• In our latitudes mainly growing as annual herbes 

Family Rubiaceae first described in 1789 by French botanist 

Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu 

(2. April 1748, Lyon – 17. September 1836, Paris) 

Description of this family in his main work 

Genera plantarum 

− Based on correlating traits 

− Advancement of the binomial 

nomenclature of Carl von Linné 


14

Botanists have described 610 genera with around 13.000 species in the Rubiaceae family. The Rubiaceae 

have a cosmopolitan distribution (see red fields on the map). Cosmopolitan is a biogeographical term and 

means that species of this family are found across all or most of the world in their respective appropriate 

habitats. These habitats are mainly in warmer places of the tropics and the subtropics with few exceptions 

growing in the temperate zone or even in colder climates. 

The Rubiaceae are morphologically easily recognizable as a coherent group by a combination of characters 

or traits: opposite leaves that are simple and entire, interpetiolar stipules, tubular sympetalous 

actinomorphic corollas and an inferior ovary. Regarding the meaning of these traits, we will discuss them in 

more detail in a following section. The most common growth form in this family are shrubs, but also trees, 

lianas or herbs are described. In our latitudes members of this family grow as herbs, e.g. sweetscented 

bedstraw is a flowering perennial plant that only grows during the summer, while it overwinters as seed. 

Rubiaceae was first described by French botanist Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu, who named and grouped 

plants of this family in his main work titled “Genera plantarum”. His grouping of species in this family was 

based on correlating traits, e.g. opposite leaves and stipules. This interlinking correlation of different traits 

was also an advancement compared to the system of Carl from Linné. 

15

Taxonmy or „Who belongs where“? 

The Principle of hierarchical classification 

category 

Kingdom 

Phylum 

Subphylum 

Class 

Subclass 

Order 

Family 

Subfamily 

Tribe 

Genus 

Species Coffea arabica, L. 

Taxon 

Plantae (plants) 

Magnoliaphyta (seed plants) 

Angiospermae 

Dikotyledoneae 

Asteridae 

Gentianales 

Rubiaceae 

Ixoroideae 

Coffeeae 

Coffea 

genus name 

specific epithet 

author, who has described 

species 

based on morphological traits 

Binomial name 

→ International Code of Botanical Nomenclature 

Carl von Linné 

Quelle: Cole and Hilger 2009 

16

Carl von Linné was the “father of modern taxonomy” as he introduced a strict and formalised way to classify 

species according to the binomial nomenclature, which is still used today. Using this system, species were 

named by giving a latin name composed of two parts, where the first part is the genus it belongs to and the 

second is the specific epithet that identifies the species. This way of naming is the international code of 

botanical nomenclature 

For Arabica coffee the latin name is Coffea arabica, where Coffea depicts the genus name and arabica is 

the epithet. At the end of the name comes the author, who was the first person that has described the 

species. In case of Arabica it is L., abbreviated from Linné. 

Using this binomial structure, the concept of grouping species in larger groups or taxa based on common 

traits became possible. All plants are grouped in the taxon Kingdom Plantae, all seed plants in the Phylum 

Magnoliaphyta and so on, always moving to units that contain fewer species. There are many taxa until we 

arrive at the species level of coffee, e.g. Subphylum, Class, Subclass, Order, Family, Subfamiliy, Tribe and 

Genus. 

Genus is the smallest group and the first part of the latin name. All species within that genus keep that 

name. Therefore all living organisms have a latin name, e.g. the human species Homo sapiens sapiens. 

On the picture to the left, a taxonomic tree (because of the many branches) is depicted that shows an 

overview of all the known plant families today. 

17

Phylogenetics 

Eudicots, Asterids, Euasterids I, Gentianales, Rubiaceae 

Quelle: Cole and Hilger 2009 

18

In order to classify the position of coffee in the Kingdom of the plants, one usually looks at close relatives 

within the plant order or within the plant family. This magnified view shows the Rubiaceae (red arrow) being 

part of the order Gentiales, which consists of 5 families. Within the closely related Gentianaceae known 

species are the gentians, which are used ornamentally and for medicinal purposes. Within the 

Apocynaceae or dogbane family olander is a known species from the Mediterranean region, which is 

widespread as a garden plant where all parts of this plant are poisonous. Loganicacae and Gelsemiaceae 

are of lower importance due to their small number of plant species. 

This rather new tree from Cole and Hilger 2009 forms the basis of plant phylogenetics and has become the 

scientific standard at least on the family level. Since 1998, a large group of botanists (Angiosperm 

phylogeny group, APG) have created this standard of classification based on molecular methods (DNA 

sequencing) that were published in several papers. 

However, recent research led by A. P. Davis brought some changes to the composition of the genus Coffea 

and they proposed an expansion from formerly 103 to now 125 species of coffee in this genus. But no 

matter how good the scientific data are, every classification is man made and to some extent artificial. 

Nonetheless, any groupings are important to reduce complexity. And by doing so, a system of different 

hierarchical levels is generated. The higher up this level is, the larger the group of species become and the 

less commonalities the members of this group have. But ultimately, there is the need to have clear species 

borders, in order to have a base entity that can be grouped in larger units. 

19

All 125 coffee species of genus Coffea! 

International Plant Names Index database 

Coffea abbayesii J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea affinis De Wild. 

Coffea alleizettii Dubard 

Coffea ambanjensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea ambongenis J.-F.Leroy ex A.P.Davis 

Coffea andrambovatensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea ankaranensis J.-F.Leroy ex A.P.Davis 

Coffea anthonyi Stoff. & F.Anthony 

Coffea arabica L. 

Coffea arenesiana J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea augagneurii Dubard 

Coffea bakossii Cheek & Bridson 

Coffea benghalensis B.Heyne ex Schult. 

Coffea bertrandii A.Chev. 

Coffea betamponensis Portères & J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea bissetiae A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea boinensis A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea boiviniana A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea bonnieri Dubard 

Coffea brassii (J.-F.Leroy) A.P.Davis 

Coffea brevipes Hiern 

Coffea bridsoniae A.P.Davis & Mvungi 

Coffea buxifolia A.Chev. 

Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner 

Coffea carrissoi A.Chev. 

Coffea charrieriana Stoff. & F.Anthony 

Coffea cochinchinensis Pierre ex Pit. 

Coffea commersoniana (Baill.) A.Chev. 

Coffea congensis A.Froehner 

Coffea costatifructa Bridson 

Coffea coursiana J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea dactylifera Robbr. & Stoff. 

Coffea decaryana J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea dubardii Jum. 

Coffea ebracteolata (Hiern) Brenan 

Coffea eugenioides S.Moore 

Coffea fadenii Bridson 

Coffea farafanganensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea floresiana Boerl. 

Coffea fotsoana Stoff. & Sonké 

Coffea fragilis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea fragrans Wall. ex Hook.f. 

Coffea gallienii Dubard 

Coffea grevei Drake ex A.Chev. 

Coffea heimii J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea homollei J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea horsfieldiana Miq. 

Coffea humbertii J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea humblotiana Baill. 

Coffea humilis A.Chev. 

Coffea jumellei J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea kapakata (A.Chev.) Bridson 

Coffea kianjavatensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea kihansiensis A.P.Davis & Mvungi 

Coffea kimbozensis Bridson 

Coffea kivuensis Lebrun 

Coffea labatii A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea lancifolia A.Chev. 

Coffea lebruniana Germ. & Kester 

Coffea leonimontana Stoff. 

Coffea leroyi A.P.Davis 

Coffea liaudii J.-F.Leroy ex A.P.Davis 

Coffea liberica Hiern 

Coffea ligustroides S.Moore 

Coffea littoralis A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea lulandoensis Bridson 

Coffea mabesae (Elmer) J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea macrocarpa A.Rich. 

Coffea madurensis Teijsm. & Binn. ex Koord. 

Coffea magnistipula Stoff. & Robbr. 

Coffea malabarica (Sivar., Biju & P.Mathew) A.P.Davis 

Coffea mangoroensis Portères 

Coffea mannii (Hook.f.) A.P.Davis 

Coffea manombensis A.P.Davis 

Coffea mapiana Sonké, Nguembou & A.P.Davis 

Coffea mauritiana Lam. 

Coffea mayombensis A.Chev. 

Coffea mcphersonii A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea melanocarpa Welw. ex Hiern 

Coffea merguensis Ridl. 

Coffea millotii J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea minutiflora A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea mogenetii Dubard 

Coffea mongensis Bridson 

Coffea montekupensis Stoff. 

Coffea montis-sacri A.P.Davis 

Coffea moratii J.-F.Leroy ex A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea mufindiensis Hutch. ex Bridson 

Coffea myrtifolia (A.Rich. ex DC.) J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea namorokensis A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea neobridsoniae A.P.Davis 

Coffea neoleroyi A.P.Davis 

Coffea perrieri Drake ex Jum. & H.Perrier 

Coffea pervilleana (Baill.) Drake 

Coffea pocsii Bridson 

Coffea pseudozanguebariae Bridson 

Coffea pterocarpa A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea racemosa Lour. 

Coffea rakotonasoloi A.P.Davis 

Coffea ratsimamangae J.-F.Leroy ex 

A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea resinosa (Hook.f.) Radlk. 

Coffea rhamnifolia (Chiov.) Bridson 

Coffea richardii J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea sahafaryensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea sakarahae J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea salvatrix Swynn. & Philipson 

Coffea sambavensis J.-F.Leroy ex 

A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea sapinii (De Wild.) A.P.Davis 

Coffea schliebenii Bridson 

Coffea semsei (Bridson) A.P.Davis 

Coffea sessiliflora Bridson 

Coffea stenophylla G.Don 

Coffea tetragona Jum. & H.Perrier 

Coffea togoensis A.Chev. 

Coffea toshii A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea travancorensis Wight & Arn. 

Coffea tricalysioides J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea tsirananae J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea vatovavyensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea vavateninensis J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea vianneyi J.-F.Leroy 

Coffea vohemarensis A.P.Davis & Rakotonas. 

Coffea wightiana Wall. ex Wight & Arn. 

Coffea zanguebariae Lour. 

http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do 

Kew, Royal botanical gardens, 

Okt. 2014 

20

Plants are usually grouped in one genus based on common traits that justifies their close relationship within 

that group. The smallest scientific relevant group is a species. A species is by definition a group of natural 

populations, whose group members have the ability of reproduction, producing fertile offspring. This is also 

called a reproductive community. If reproduction is no longer possible, e.g. in plants by a change in the 

flower morphology of an individual, this could be the basis to form a new species. 

However, always a combination of morphological traits are used in botanical classification. Closely related 

species do not necessarily resemble each other, but as long as they share important traits, the relationship 

is easy to recognize. This also applies for Coffea, where not all species are looking similar, as some are 

very small trees, wheras others are very large ones, which depends on the ecological niche they exploit. 

Especially for genera of worldwide distribution, ecology is a far more relevant force to shape the plant 

compared to its genetic heritage. For instance, Rubiaceae have many tree species in the (sub)tropics, 

whereas in the temperate regions they are herbs in order to survive the winter as seed. 

This is an overview of the 125 species that are now forming the genus Coffea, which is also depicted in the 

first part of all the latin names. The two relevant species in terms of coffee production are C. arabica and C. 

canephora (marked in red). Coffea liberica is used only marginally for coffee production, partly because of 

its large beans. Other species are grown only for local consumption, e.g. species on Madagascar. 

21

Traits for the classification of plants 

or how to distinguish coffee from other plants. 

Morphology of Coffea 

Ecology, 

pollination ecology 

Flower traits = reproductive traits 

Flower structure: white, radial symmetry 

with five petals, forming a tube at the base. 

Inflorescence: many flowers in clusters in 

the axils of the leaves 

Form of fruits: red drupe containing 

usually two seeds 

Genetic analysis 

- 

Genetic aspect 

becomes more 

and more 

important! 

Biochemical 

analysis, 

metabolism 

Secondary plant metabolites 

Chemistry - chemotaxonomy 

Morphology of Coffea 

Vegetative traits 

Leaves: leaves with smooth margins 

Phyllotaxy: leaves attached opposite 

Branching: opposite pattern 

Habitus: shrub or small tree 

Fossil botany 

Embryology 

22

Several traits can be exploited to classify plants, and traditional ones are based on plant morphology, which 

studies the plant form and their specific structural features. Here, botanists distinguish vegetative traits like the 

appearance of the leaves (Coffea: leaves with smooth margins and the shape is elliptic-ovate to oblong), plant 

growth = habitus (Coffea: shrub or a small tree), phyllotaxy (Coffea: opposite growth, where two leaves attach at 

each point (node) on the branch), branching pattern of a tree (Coffea: opposite again) or specific structures of the 

stem (no specific trait for Coffea). Next, an important source of information lies in the morphology of the flowers. 

As those traits are of reproductive importance, already small deviations from the mean could have an immediate 

effect on forming new species. Here, structure (Coffea: white flowers, radial symmetry (identical parts are 

arranged in a circular fashion around a central axis), 5 petals (modified leaves that surround the reproductive 

parts, often coloured to attract pollination) that form a tube (the base of the petals are fused) and the actual 

appearance as inflorescence (Coffea : flowers grow in clusters (= inflorescence) in the axils of the leaves) as well 

as the resulting fruits (Coffea: red drupe in the size of a cherry that contains usually two seeds) are important. 

Next to morphology also ecology can give hints on the relationship of a species. Or that closely related species 

share certain secondary plant metabolites, which serve a certain purpose in the plant, e.g. nicotine was invented 

for defense purposes. The resulting taxonomy is therefore also called chemotaxonomy, which is in turn closely 

related to biochemical analyses of the metabolism of the plant that is also similar among closely related species. 

Embryology could be used, where the development of the embryo is used to study its origin. Fossil botany in turn 

is used to judge the age of a trait. If a certain trait was already present in fossils this trait (symplesiomorph) has 

been developed a long time ago and is likely shared by many species, compared to a rather new trait (apomorph) 

that has originated only recently based on an “invention”. 

More recently, genetic analyses or molecular methods in general are becoming more and more relevant in 

determining the classification of life on earth, e.g. the already mentioned new classification of angiosperms by the 

APG was based of DNA sequencing. 

23

Genus Coffea 

103 species on the African continent 

Natural occurrence of genus Coffea 

• 41 endemic species in Africa 

• 59 endemic species on Madagascar 

• 3 endemic species on Mascarene islands, e.g. Mauritius 

Center with highest diversity 

• Madagascar (evergreen, humid rain forests) 

• Cameroon (16 species) 

• Tanzania (14 species) 

Widespread species (beverage species) 

• C. canephora und C. liberica 

Natural range of C. arabica is pretty small, only in Ethiopia. 

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource 

• Critically Endangered: in Africa and Madagascar: 7 species each 

• Endangered: in Africa 6 species, in Madagascar 28 species, on the Mascarene islands 1 species (e.g. C. charrieriana) 

• Vulnerable: in Africa 13 species, in Madagascar 8 species, on the Mascarene islands 2 species (e.g. C. arabica) 

• Near threatened: in Africa 6 species, in Madagascar 7 species (e.g. C. canephora, C. liberica, C. congensis, C. eugenioidis) 

• Least concern: in Africa 8 species; in Madagascar 6 species 

Wikipedia 

Davis AP et al, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 465–512 

24

As already mentioned, 125 species are combined in the genus Coffea. The genus originated on the African 

continent, where 103 species occur naturally. Arabica and Robusta are grown in plantations within the coffee 

belt all over the world having extended their range drastically. From those 103 species, 41 species are endemic 

in Africa, 59 endemic on Madagascar and 3 endemic on the Mascarene islands (endemic means that their 

natural occurrence is restricted to a certain area). 

Speaking about diversity, Madagascar is a hotspot with 59 species. This high diversity is due to the many 

different habitats within the evergreen humid rain forests on that island. Other regions with high diversity are 

Cameroon with 16 species and Tanzania with 14 species. Other species are also widespread in Africa, such as 

Robusta and C. liberica, which are used as beverage species. Therefore, those two species were cultivated in 

many areas of Africa for local consumption, that resulted in a wider distribution long before the European 

colonization started. However, the natural range of Arabica is small as it only grows naturally in the highlands of 

Ethiopia. Here is the center of its natural biodiversity and the cherries collected there are commercialized as 

heirloom coffee. 

The natural habitat is shrinking not only for Arabica in Ethiopia, but most of the coffee species are under threat, 

according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource). 

The IUCN Red List classifies species into nine groups, set through criteria such as rate of decline, population 

size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population and distribution fragmentation. Regarding coffee, 

14 species are critically endangered, which means they face extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, while 

35 species are endangered (= have high risk of extinction in the wild). 23 species are vulnerable in their 

existence (including Arabica), facing high risk of endangerment in the wild, while 13 species are near threatened 

(including Robusta) meaning they are likely to become endangered in the near future. Only 14 coffee species 

are classified with least concern (= they do not face a threat, but are widespread and abundant) 

25

Expansion of Coffea 

area of origin in 'Lower Guinea', LG 

Diversification in genus Coffea happened presumably in second half of 

Mid Pleistocene (450‘000 – 100‘000 years before present) 

LG = Lower Guinea, 

UG = Upper Guinea, 

C = Congo, 

E-CA = East-Central Africa, 

EA = East Africa 

Later, continental cross to India, Asia and Australia 

Anthony et al. (2010) Plant 

Syst Evol 285, 51–64 

Maurin et al. (2007) Ann. 

Bot., 100: 1565–1583 

26

According to genetic analyses of different coffee species, a relationship among the species were proposed and 

how coffee evolved in the past. This attempt has been made by several research groups, e.g. Maurin et al. 2007 

and Anthony et al. 2010. The more similar the genome of two species is, the closer they are related. More 

genetic differences between them suggests that they are more distantly related. 

Maurin et al. deduced several clades (or groups) of closer related species from their phylogenetic analyses that 

also match a certain geographic distribution (see phylogenetic tree, where certain species grow in a restricted 

area). The resulting distribution map of Coffea (on the left) shows the location of those groups: UG = Upper 

Guinea clade (West Africa); LG/C = Lower Guinea/ Congolian clade (Lower Guinea and Central Africa); E-CA = 

East-Central Africa clade; EA = East Africa clade; Mad = Madagascan clade; MAS = Mascarene clade. The 

dahomey gap named on this map is a 250 km wide belt with a much more dry climate that separates the 

woodlands between UG and LG, which is also mirrored in the more distant relationship between the coffee 

species on both sides of the gap. 

Anthony et al proposed that coffee originated in Lower Guinea (Central Africa) in the second half of Mid 

Pleistocene, based on their findings that there was the highest genetic diversity (map on the right). From there 

the whole of Equatorial Africa and the Madagascar region as well as upper Guinea was colonized, also indicated 

by arrows. Actual distribution of coffee is marked grey, while forest refugees areas are marked black. After that, 

coffee expanded naturally to India, Asia and Australia as now also species of the former genus Psilanthus are 

included in Coffea. 

27

Utilization of other coffee species 

C. liberica (1876) 

«liberica alliance»: several similar species - Excelsa 

(C. liberica (var. liberica und var. dewevrei), C. montekupensis, 

C. bakossi, C. mapiana) 

• Originally from coast of western Africa 

• Tropical Africa (beverage species), also cultivated on the Philippines, 

Indonesia, Vietnam 

• Cultivation already before colonisation (long tradition) 

• Height up to 9 (– 25) m 

• Very large leaves (35 cm long, 15 cm broad) 

• Cherries larger and harder (compared to Arabica and Robusta) 

• Cherries also need longer maturation time (12 to 14 months) 

• Only 1 % of world coffee production 

• Drought resistant 

A. Charrier 

C. liberica (Elfenbeinküste) 

www.sweetmarias.com 

A. Charrier 

A. Charrier 

C. liberica var. dewevrei (zentralafrikanische Republik) 

Coffee: Growing, Processing sustainable production, Wiley 2012 

28

Next to Arabica and Robusta, few other species can are commercially available, e.g. as roasted coffee. 

One such species is Coffea liberica that has a trading volume of under 1 % of all coffee. Next to Liberica 

also Excelsa is listed as a trade species. But recent publications from A.P. Davis suggest to group based 

on genetic analyses a couple of species in the “liberica alliance”, which consists of C. liberica var. liberica 

(actual Liberica coffee), C. liberica var. dewevrei (formerly known as Excelsa coffee), as well as C. 

montekupensis, C. bakossi and C. mapiana. 

Liberica coffee originated from the coast of West Africa, but being a beverage species it is now found in 

most of tropical Africa and also cultivated on the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. This is likely due to 

the large beans that this coffee species produces, which is somehow correlated with high quality, even 

though the coffee produced from Liberica is far from the high quality that can be produced from Arabica 

coffee. Liberica grows as a very large tree that can grow up to 25 m. Consitently, Liberica has also very 

large leaves (up to 50 cm in length), which is a good identifying characteristic in the field. Being a large 

plant, also the cherries are a lot larger and harder compared to Robusta and Arabica. With 12 to 14 months 

the cherries also need a longer time for maturation. 

There are also some advantages in growing this species. It is rust resistant and it has a high drought 

tolerance, which means it can grow in most of the drier regions on the African continent. 

29

Part 2 

Classification 

• Terms and definitions 

• Varieties of C. arabica: 

• Traditional varieties 

• Overview on well accepted varities 

• Varieties in C. canephora? 

30

31

Terms 

Coffee species: 

C. canephora Pierre ex Froehner, C. arabica L., C. liberica Bull ex Hiern 

• delimitation: no fertile offspring between both 

• In Botany unfortunately not that clear (modern breeding methods) 

Coffee variety: C. arabica var. laurina, C. arabica var. bullata 

• Differ in low number of attributes (from the type specimen, which is reference that serves as an anchor) 

• No natural taxon 

• Attributes are biologically irrelevant (no species border) 

Coffee cultivar (= cultivated variety) 

• Referring to bred cultivars (not originated naturally!) 

• Selected because of certain attributes 

(especially taste of roasted bean) 

• Most Arabica varieties are cultivars! 

• Breeding, cross or specific selection leads to genotype. 

Sexual or vegetative reproduction to get identical clones: 

all specimen keep those typical attributes 

• For examples selected mutants or artificial bred hybrids 

C. arabica cv. Ayasa (Jemen) 

32

In summary only three coffee species are of relevance when it comes to international coffee consumption, Coffea 

canephora Pierre ex Froehner, C. arabica L., C. liberica Bull ex Hiern. The name (or letter) after the species 

refers to the author, who validly published this botanical name. In case of Arabica coffee, it was Carl von Linné 

(abbreviated L.), who described the Typica variety as the reference Arabica plant, hence the name of that 

variety. The term “ex” means that the initial description was not sufficient or that the botanical systematic was 

changed. For Robusta it means that Pierre was the first to describe the plant, but the correct and final description 

was done by Froehner. 

As already mentioned, fertility among offspring is a characteristic for members of a species. But, especially for 

plants the species border is often not that clear as modern breeding methods allow the formation of a wide 

variety of hybrids between species (e.g. Hibrido de Timor). 

A coffee variety is botanically not relevant as it does not allow distinction of species. Varieties differ only in a low 

number of attributes compared to the reference type specimen that serves as an anchor. For Arabica, several 

botanically distinguishable varieties exist, e.g. C. arabica var. laurina and C. arabica var. bullata. They do not 

form a natural taxon, but they can be named because of typical traits. 

A coffee cultivar is made up of the words cultivated and variety. So this terms indicates that it is also a variety, 

but it refers to artificially cultivated varieties that have no natural origin. They were usually selected because of 

certain attributes that were especially favorable, e.g. for the taste of the final coffee cup. Nowadays most Arabica 

varieties are cultivars, Typica and Bourbon being the most prominent ones. Varieties are created by controlled 

breeding, crossing of species or by specific selection, which all lead to a certain genotype. Subsequent sexual 

(self-pollination) or vegetative reproduction leads to many identical clones, where all specimen of that clone keep 

those typical attributes. Therefore, the generation of one stable variety takes several generations and multiple 

selection steps, but at the end one can produce many individuals that produce the exact same quality of coffee 

beans. 

33

Arabica traditional cultivars 

Production still based on traditional cultivars 

Botanically distinguishable varieties: 

C. arabica var. sundana (Miq.) A. Chev. , Encycl. Biol. 28: 204 (1947) nom.inval. 

C. arabica var. laurina Laness., Pl. Utiles Colon. Fr. 42 (1886). 

C. arabica var. polysperma Burck, Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 4: 52 (1890). 

C. arabica var. amarella A.Froehner, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 263 (1898). 

C. arabica var. straminea Miq. ex A.Froehner, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 263 (1898). 

C. arabica var. maragogype A.Froehner, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 25: 263 (1898). 

C. arabica var. angustifolia Cramer, Teysmannia 18: 224 (1907). 

C. arabica var. rotundifolia Ottol. ex Cramer, Teysmannia 18: 225 (1907). 

C. arabica var. murta Lalière, Le Café l’Etat Saint-Paul: 40 (1909). 

C. arabica var. bullata Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 210 (1913). 

C. arabica var. columnaris Ottol. ex Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 262 (1913). 

C. arabica var. erecta Ottol. ex Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 201 (1913). 

C. arabica var. mokka Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 154 (1913). 

C. arabica var. monosperma Ottol. & Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 186 (1913). 

C. arabica var. pendula Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 251 (1913). 

C. arabica var. purpurascens Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 201 (1913). 

C. arabica var. typica Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 126 (1913), nom. inval. 

C. arabica var. variegata Ottol. ex Cramer, Meded. Dept. Landb. Ned.-Indië 11: 209 (1913). 

C. arabica var. bourbon Rodr. ex Choussy, El Café: page no. unknown (1928). 

C. arabica var. brevistipulata Cif., Agric. Colon. 31: 521 (1937). 

C. arabica var. longistipulata Cif., Agric. Colon. 31: 521 (1937). 

C. arabica var. pubescens Cif., Agric. Colon. 31: 521 (1937). 

C. arabica var. abyssinica A.Chev., Encycl. Biol. 23: 198 (1947). 

C. arabica var. culta A.Chev., Encycl. Biol. 23: 199 (1947). 

C. arabica var. cultoides A.Chev., Encycl. Biol. 23: 199 (1947). 

C. arabica var. latifolia A.Chev., Encycl. Biol. 23: 200 (1947). 

Davis AP et al, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 465–512 

34

Here is a first slide that lists famous, traditional Arabica varieties (taken from Illy 2006). Some of those 

Arabica varieties can be distinguished botanically, e.g. C. arabica var. laurina with pointy leaves and seeds 

and C. arabica var. bullata with round leaves, but they do not form a natural taxon. 

The two most renowned Arabica varieties are the oldest and worldwide distributed Typica and Bourbon. 

They were the start of many other varieties and they exhibit excellent cup qualities. Some countries are 

famous for their renowned varieties that also provide excellent cup profiles, e.g. SL 28 and SL 34 in Kenya 

or Blue Mountain in Jamaica or Kona in Hawaii. 

Other varieties were selected because of their higher productivity, e.g. dwarf varieties Catuai and Caturra 

that can be planted at higher densities. Both varieties are widely distributed in Central and South America, 

but they are both on the downgrade due to susceptibility diseases. Also Villa Sarchi and Pacas are dwarf 

varieties, which are less distributed than Caturra or Catuai. 

Few varieties were selected because of their higher resistance against pests and diseases, e.g. Kent in 

Kenya, other were selected because of higher yield, e.g. Mundo Novo in Brazil, Tekesik in Central America. 

Also in Ethiopia, several varieties became famous, named after the region where they were grown, e.g. 

Jimma, Harar, Yirga Chefe. 

To be considered a distinct Arabica variety, the must meet some criteria 

• The variety is homogenous: precise description by set of characteristics and all plants look the same. 

• The variety is different: It is distinguishable from other varieties based on the above characteristics. 

• The variety is stable: The variety can be reproduced in such a manner that its characteristics are 

unchanged in the next generation. 

35

C. arabica var. Bourbon 

C. arabica var. Typica 

Bourbon first cultivation in 1715, still cultivated e.g. in West Africa (Kenia, Burundi, Tanzania, Ruanda) 

Typica was described by Linné as typical variety: Coffea arabica var. arabica, still cultivated e.g. in 

Colombia, Central America, Caribbean, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon 

C. arabica 

Typica variety (worldwide) 

var. typica Cramer 

Bourbon variety (worldwide) 

var. bourbon (B. Rodr.) Choussy 

Growth and 

branching; leaves 

Larger, horizontal branches; narrower 

leaves, young leaves bronze-coloured 

compact and more upright; broader 

leaves, young leaves green 

Cherry slightly longer; bigger beans rounder Red and Yellow (also 

orange) fruit varieties 

Yield 

low till average, production late in the 

year 

higher yield and vigour, production 

late in the year, early ripening 

Cup quality good Slightly better 

Important lines 

Blue Mountain = Typica, 

other varieties: Villa Lobos, Pache 

plant density: 3000-4000 a/ha 

SL 28, SL 34, Kenia 

plant density: 3000-4000 a/ha 

Diseases and pests susceptible to all (e.g. coffee leaf rust) susceptible to all 

http://www.sweetmarias.com 

36

Until the 1940s, the majority of coffee plantations in Central America were planted with Typica. But because of 

its low yield and high susceptibility to coffee diseases, it has gradually been replaced. Today, coffee production 

in Latin America is still based to a large extent on cultivars developed from Typica or Bourbon and varieties 

thereof. In Brazil over 95 % of coffee cultivars are derived from Typica and Bourbon varieties. However, the 

wide use of pesticides enables coffee growers with intensive agriculture to maintain these varieties in their 

plantation, despite their susceptibility to diseases. 

Bourbon: The first Bourbon plantation dates back to the early 18 th century after it was introduced on ile 

Bourbon (an island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, now known as La Reunion) from Yemen. It is still 

cultivated in Africa and e.g. Guatemala and known for its high cup quality. Bourbon goes back to a broad group 

of C. arabica specimen that developed naturally. Depending on the specific sub-group, this coffee can be red 

or yellow. These plants generally have broader leaves and rounder fruit and seeds than Typica. Sterns are 

stronger and stand more upright than Typica. They can show very good quality but are susceptible to all major 

diseases and pests. 

Typica: This varietal name is commonly used for numerous tall types of Coffea arabica and the most prominent 

trait are the bronze-tipped young leaves. lts predecessors were originally brought to Java from Yemen 

(possibly via lndia) and also to Europe in the beginning of the 18 th century, from where Typica was spread all 

over the world. Typica plants are known to have low productivity and they are susceptible to all main coffee 

pests and diseases. Typica coffees include Blue Mountain, Guatemala, Sumatra, Pache, Java, and Kona. T 

37

Origin of varieties 

first adaptation to modern agriculture 

In the beginning low genetic diversity 

Typica: 

Genetic diversity within 

population intrinsically 

Zero 

Bourbon: 

Genetic diversity within 

population enables 

progress in breeding 

success 

Cross 

A genetic progress occurred 

mutation 

Mundo Novo 

(tall in growth: 

mechanical harvest) 

Caturra 

(Dwarf variety) 

cross 

+ 25 – 35 %, 6300 a/ha 

Catuai 

(Dwarf variety, vigorous) 

Varieties adapted to 

Intensification of 

agriculture 

Creation and dissemination of Arabica coffee varieties: What varietal innovations? Bertrand 

B, Montagnon C, Georget F, Charmetant P and Etienne H Cahiers Agricultures 21/2-3(2012)77–88 

Dwarfism: same mutation for 

• Bourbon pointu 

• Pacas 

• Caturra 

• Villa Sarchi 

38

Initially, Coffea arabica plantations were based on few individuals, namely the two classical varieties Typica 

and Bourbon. This resulting poor genetic diversity is now a days generating a huge problem due to low 

resilience against coffee diseases. Therefore many regions have stopped to grow those varieties as the effort 

for maintaining the plantation is too large. Genetic diversity in Typica was intrinsically zero, while there was still 

some diversity left in the Bourbon variety. 

After Crossing Typica and Bourbon a new variety named Mondo Novo was created in Brazil in 1931, which 

showed an increased productivity combined with tall growth. Therefore Mundo Novo could be grown efficiently 

in the plain plantations of Brazil combined with mechanical harvesting. 

At the same time a natural Bourbon mutant with dwarfism was discovered in 1935. This Caturra variety had 

also higher productivity than Bourbon, but more importantly due to the smaller growth it could be planted at 

much higher densities (6300 a/ha). Due to a lack in vigour Caturra was not introduced commercially in Brazil. 

Subsequently, Caturra was crossed with Mundo Novo to produce Catuai, that exhibited high vigour combined 

with high plant density, having the optimal combination for high productivity in intensive agriculture. 

On the picture to the right, several other varieties and how they originated, taken from SCAA. Here it is also 

important to notice that dwarfism is a single point mutation that has happened frequently, e.g. Bourbon pointu, 

Pacas, Caturra and Villa Sarchi show the same mutation. 

Those varieties on the picture will be explained in more detail on the next pages. 

39

Coffea arabica cv. Caturra 

Coffea arabica cv. Mundo Novo 

Caturra in Brazil (1937), Bourbon mutant 

• dwarfism, pronounced branching, short Internodes 

• Compact habitus (2–3 m) with low located fruits 

‣ high density in plantation (e.g. Colombia and Costa Rica) 

‣ Without shade: risk of overbearing 

-> needs intensive care 

• Good yield, fast ripening of fruits, moderate cup quality 

• To a great extent homozygous 

• Susceptible against all pests and diseases 

• Red fruit: Caturra Vermelho, yellow: Caturra Amarelo (recessive) 

Caturra , Costa Rica 

Coffee: Growing, Processing 

sustainable production, Wiley 2012 

Mundo Nuovo in Sao Paulo state (1931), cross between 

Sumatra (Typica) and Red Bourbon 

• Replaced Typica after 1960, today still 35 % of farming in Brazil, 

good adaptation on climate and condition for cultivation 

• High growth (with high located fruits) for mechanical harvest 

• High productivity (60 to 120% more), good vigor 

• Average ripening of fruits (red fruit) 

• To a great extent homozygous (one genotype) 

• Susceptible to pests and diseases, 

said to have some resistance against CLR 

http://coffeeloversofworld.com 

Coffee berry disease, Kamerun 

Jonathan Wilkins 

© www.gettyimages.com, 

Plantation Mundo Novo, Brazil 

40

Caturra: A pure-line dwarf mutant of red Bourbon that has short internodes, which leads to shorter 

branches and a compact growth. This natural mutant was discovered in Brazil and first mentioned by the 

Instituto Agronomica de Campinas in 1937. It is highly productive, but with lower vigor and moderate cup 

quality and with fast ripening fruits. Its leaf and fruit characteristics are similar to Bourbon, and Caturra 

berries can be either red or yellow (Yellow Caturra and Red Caturra). 

And like Bourbon, it is known to be susceptible to all main diseases and pests. It was never grown in 

lowland plantations in Brazil due to its lack in vigour and its suceptibility to coffee diseases, but it has 

spread in Colombia and Central America, where it was and still is grown at higher latitudes. 

Mundo novo: This tall cultivar was selected from a natural cross of Sumatra (Typica) and Red Bourbon in 

Brazil (municipality of Novo Mundo, today called Urupês, in Sao Paulo state) in the 1940s by the lnstituto 

Agronomica de Campinas (IAC). The variety has been distributed to farmers in Brazil since 1952 replacing 

Typica and still forms a basis of coffee production in Brazil (35 %). It is characterized by tall height, red fruit, 

average maturation time and good vegetative vigor combined with high productivity. Leaf and fruit 

characteristics are intermediate between Typica and Bourbon and leaf tips can be green or bronze. 

lt has an average cup quality and is susceptible to main pests and diseases. However, with intensive care 

in well managed plantations, productivity remains high for Mundo Novo as it is well adapted to the Brazilian 

climate 

41

C. arabica cv. Catuai 

Coffea arabica var. Laurina, Bourbon pointu 

Catuai: 1949 in Brazil, cross between Mundo Novo and Yellow Caturra 

• Inheritance: dwarfism from Caturra, higher yield from Mundo Novo and 

moderate rsistance to CLR 

• Widely distributed in Brazil and Central America 

• Good yielding and good quality 

Fernando Rebêlo 

• Small plants with low hanging fruits 

• Average ripening 

• Suitable for dense plantations 

• Susceptible to diseases and pests, 

Yellow Catuai 

it is said to have some resistance against CLR 

Coffee: Growing, 

Processing sustainable 

production, Wiley 2012 

Catuai, Costa Rica 

http://www.sweetmarias.com 

Bourbon pointu: spontaneous mutation from Bourbon (a) 

• Specialty coffee, low caffeine content (0.6 %) 

• Dwarfism, small leaves (b) 

• Beans are smaller and pointed 

(Bourbon pointu) (c) 

• Looks like Christmas tree 

http://perso.numericable.fr/dalbera5/site_numerisation_reunio 

n/maison_rouge/pages/plantation_cafe_bourbon_pointu.htm 

42

Catuai: A pure-line (one genotype predominating) cultivar developed by the Instituto Agronomico de 

Campinas (IAC) 1949 in Brazil. Catuai originated from a cross between Mundo Novo and yellow Caturra, 

having inherited the dwarism from Caturra having either yellow or red cherries (Catuai-amarelo or Catuaivermelho). 

lt has good productivity, average ripening of fruits and is susceptible to all main pests and 

diseases, although it is said to have some resistance against CLR. However, giving the fact that pesticide 

use in Brazil is common and plenty, this hypothesis has to be tested. It forms the other basis for coffee 

production in Brazil, accounting for 60 % of its production. Due to its small size Catuai is grown in dense 

plantations under full sun, which requires a high level of care (e.g. watering, fertilization). It also was 

distributed to Central American countries, e.g. Costa Rica and Guatemala. It has average cup quality. 

Bourbon Pointu/Laurina: A natural mutation of Bourbon that originally occurred on the island of 

‘Bourbon’ (La Réunion) from a Weld at the beginningof the 19th century, first described in 1947. lt has also 

a dwarf stature and a "Christmas tree" (pointed) shape. It has smaller leaves, narrow internodes, and 

pointed seeds. Lt has excellent cup quality and is known to have a lower caffeine content than many other 

C. arabica varieties. However, it is susceptible to CLR. 

Some Laurina mutants were the first coffees to be patented by the roasting industry and the historical 

context of its origin has been extensively discussed here (Lecolier et al, Euphytica (2009) 168:1–10). 

Their conclusion for the “most likely hypothesis is the emergence of the mutation of a ‘Bourbon’ tree (from 

Yemen) in La Réunion, its fixation as homozygous genotype lrlr by selfing, followed by its selection and its 

multiplication by seeds as pure line”. 

43

Other Varieties 

Coffea arabica cv. Maragogipe or Maragogype 

• Mutation from Typica From Maragogipe, province Bahia, Brazil 

• Large internodes and big leaves, large plant 

Caturra 

• Large berries and beans (common name Elefante) 

• Low yield 

• Commercial interest: in Central Amerika and Mexico 

Maragogype 

Maragogype 

Coffea arabica cv. Pacas (1949) 

• Discovered in 1949 in the Santa Ana region of El Salvador 

• Similar to Caturra, Villa Sarchi 

• Mutant of Red Bourbon 

• Susceptible to all diseases and pests 

Mark Pfaff 

Mixed cultivars 

• Cross Maragogipe with Caturra: Maracaturra 

Pacas 

• Cross Maragogipe with Pacas: Pacamara (1984), 

bronze or green young leaves£ 


Pacamara 


44

Maragogipe: A mutant of Typica, first discovered near Maragogipe, Bahia, Brazil in 1870. The special 

characteristic of this variety is the production of large cherries and seeds, compared to Typica. The 

mutation is due to a single dominant gene, which acts not only on the size of the fruit, but also results in 

longer internodes and larger leaf size. Due to its relatively low yield, it has not been introduced to Brazil. But 

it is still grown in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico due to its high cup quality. 

Pacas: A dwarf mutation of Bourbon discovered in 1949 on a farm owned by the Pacas in the Santa Ana 

region of El Salvador, where it is still grown today accounting for 25% of the country's coffee production. In 

1960, the Salvadoran Institute for Coffee Research began a program of pedigree selection (selection of 

individual plants through successive generations) for Pacas. 

Pacas is similar to Caturra from Brazil and Villa Sarchi in Costa Rica, where a single-gene mutation 

resulted in smaller growth, also called “dwarfism’. Due to its smaller size, this variety has been planted at 

higher densities to increase the total production/area on a farm. It performs well at high elevations and has 

good yields. lt is known to be susceptible to all main diseases and pests. 

Pacamara: A cross between Maragogype and Pacas developed in El Salvador. Similarly to Pacas, it is 

known to be susceptible to all main diseases and pests. Pacamara was released by the Salvadoran 

Institute of Coffee Research in 1984. Due to incomplete pedigree selection, this variety is genetically 

unstable and 10-12% of plants in a plantation revert to Pacas (when planted as seeds). 

Maracaturra: Similar to Pacamara, where Caturra was crossed with Maragogipe, e.g. grown in Guatemala. 

45

Coffea arabica cv. Geisha 

• Geisha or Gesha, natural variety from Gesha, a region in Ethiopia. 

• Was cultivated in the 1950s as CLR tolerant variety 

• Still grown in the highlands of Panama, rediscovered in the 

beginning of this millennium 

• Low yield, but coffee has exceptional cup quality with 

unique flavour 

• At the moment a sought after variety and 

planted elsewhere in Central America 

• One of the most expensive varieties due to an imbalance 

in demand and supply : peak at $170 USD for a pound of 

green beans (2010) = $10 for a cup 

For comparison: $ 1 – 2 / lb for normal coffee 

Comparison: Differences in Fruit size and colour 

© www.madcapcoffee.com 


Coffee: Growing, Processing sustainable production, Wiley 2012 

46

Panamanian Geisha: A wild Ethiopian landrace that is now cultivated widely in Central America . lt is 

named for the town Gesha in Western Ethiopia where it was first collected in the forests in the 1930s. After 

that it seems to have been sent to the Limungu research station in Tanzania and from where it was brought 

to Agronomico Tropical de lnvestigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE) in Costa Rica in 1953. Then it was 

distributed throughout Panama via CATIE in the 1960s because of its tolerance to coffee leaf rust. That 

was also how it made its way to the Boquete region of Panama, where it was rediscovered in the early 

2000. 

However, what happened in the 50 years between distribution and rediscovery can only be speculated. 

One reasonable explanation could be that Geisha is a rather low yielding variety. This low prodcutivity 

together with a higher brittleness of the plant's branches could explain why farmers did not adapt this 

variety for large-scale cultivation. 

The coffee gained fame in 2005, when the Peterson family of Boquete (Hacienda La Esmeralda, Panama) 

entered it into the "Best of Panama" competition and auction. Nowadays it is widely known for its 

outstanding cup profile with delicate floral, jasmine, and peach-like aromas (when plants are managed well 

at high altitude). It then also received exceptionally high marks and broke the then-record for green coffee 

auction prices, selling regularly for over $20/pound. 

Yet, significant confusion about Geisha remains, as it seems that a multitude of genetically distinct plant 

genotypes have been referred to as Geisha, many of which share similar geographic origins in Ethiopia. 

Recent genetic diversity analyses conducted by World Coffee Research confirm that Panamanian Geisha is 

distinct and uniform. 

47

Coffea arabica 

varieties, hybrids

This is a list of varieties compiled by Café Imports: 

There are the three relevant coffee species at the bottom of the branches, C. liberica to the left, C. arabica 

in the middle and C. canephora (note that C. arabica is a natural hybrid of C. canephora and C. 

eugenoides). 

For Arabica, one branch compiles heriloom varieties (green, originated in Ethiopia), while another compiles 

varieties derived from Typica (orange) and one from Bourbon (red). Bothe Typica and Bourbon originated in 

Yemen. However, only a part of the circulating varietal names is compiled and there od no definitive list of 

existing varieties available at the moment. 

The Robusta branch (purple) to the right has the variety Hibrido de Timor (HdT, a natural hybrid of C. 

arabica and C. canephora) at its bottom. 

The clue about this picture is that it also visualizes the most important breeding results during the past 

centuries. This is indicated by the branching pattern together with arrows. (e.g. Mundo Novo is a hybrid 

between Typica from Sumatra and Red Bourbon or the cross of Maragogype and Pacas resulted in 

Pacamara). 

It also gives an overview on the existing Catimors, which are hybrids between HdT and Caturra. These 

varieties are growing quickly as they are resistant to coffee leaf rust (CLR)and can therefore be cultivated 

at lower altitude in CLR infested areas (e.g. Colombia coffee region in Huila grows mainly Colombia, 

Castillo and Tiba only little Caturra). 

49

World coffee research – 

coffee varieties 

Example how WCR want to help farmers choosing the right variety: 

Work done by WCR: 

IN THE LAB 

Focusing on the genetics, 

molecular biology, and sensory 

science of coffee 

IN THE FIELD 

Working to get the best coffee 

varieties into the hands of 

farmers 

IN THE CUP 

Improving the quality of coffee, 

seed to cup 

50

World coffee research is a non-profit agricultural research organization registered in the state of California. 

“The world's supply of high quality coffee is urgently threatened. So are the livelihoods of coffee farmers. 

We can solve these complex problems through collaborative research and development.” 

Projects related to green coffee (taken from their homepage https://worldcoffeeresearch.org) 

coffee genetics & breeding: Today’s best coffee varieties are no match for the environmental threats of 

the 21st century—changing weather patterns, increased temperatures, and new disease and insect 

prevalence. This creates a potentially disastrous decline in supply in the coming decades. Focusing on 

coffee genetic improvement through work in the lab to identify key genes and genetic markers, and in the 

field to develop new varieties of coffee, is the most efficient way to ensure the future of coffee. 

Global coffee conservation strategy: Protecting coffee, forever 

Coffea arabica Genetic Diversity: Understanding whether coffee's "genetic toolkit" is big enough 

Breeding for the Future: Coffee plants for the 21st century 

Next-Generation F1 Hybrid Varieties: Combining traditional methods with big data 

Coffee Varieties: Deciding which variety to plant is perhaps the most important decision a farmer will make 

about his or her farm. It represents an investment of at least 10-15 years, often longer. Yet coffee 

producers often don’t know what varieties that have and therefore plant seeds that are susceptible to 

disease or don’t perform optimally in their area, leaving them doubly vulnerable. Helping farmers gain 

access to better varieties and better information about how they perform significantly reduces the risk 

farmers face. 

51

Coffea canephora 

• Increase in production, 0 % in 1920 to 40 % today 

• Introgression lines with C. arabica varieties 

• More caffeine and chlorogenic acids 

(higher bitterness, but quality is sufficient for soluble 

coffee) 

Selection of trees with good general combining ability 

(hybrids of good quality with many different genotypes) 

• Guinean (West Africa, red) and Congolese group 

(Central Africa, green) 

‣ Robusta (Congo), 1890 

‣ Nganda (Uganda) 

‣ Kouilou (Central Africa), 

now widespread in Brazil 

Hybrids 

• BP and SA series in Java, Indonesia in the 

1920th, propagation via seed and grafting 

• S274 and BR series in India in the 1950th 

(plant material from Java), propagation via seed 

Montagnon C et al. Coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre) genetic improvement: Acquired 

knowledge, strategies and perspectives. Cahiers Agricultures 21/2-3(2012)143–153 

• IF series in Ivory coast 

(plant material from Java) 

52

Coffea canephora it characterised by its great variation in forms or ecotypes, and therefore it is much more 

difficult to distinguish varieties. This is due to its allogamous (cross-fertilizing) reproduction, where always 

pollen from another tree is needed for fertilization. In contrast to self-fertilizing C. arabica, Robusta always 

mixes DNA from a multitude of individuals, which generated many different genotypes. 

Robusta coffee is also more bitter and has less favourable organoleptic qualities, which is also mirrored in 

the trade prices, where Robusta is sold at 60 % lower prices than Arabica. However, quality of Robusta can 

still be improved with higher post-processing efforts. Yet, quality is sufficient for soluble coffee production 

and to be used in blends with Arabica. There was also a larger demand for cheap coffee after the second 

world war, which boosted the share on world coffee production for Robustas from 0 % in 1920 to 40 % 

today. 

For selection of Robusta trees, a strategy is frequently applied, where genotypes with a good general 

combining ability are selected. Doing that, one looks for individuals with a certain genotype that produce 

hybrids of good quality with many different other genotypes. This way one can higher the probability that 

the trees in the plantation produce an evenly good quality crop. 

On the picture the geographic origins of the two main genetic groups of C. canephora are shown. The red 

area marks the Guinean group of Robustas (Ivory coast and Guinea), whereas the green area marks the 

Congolese group with few sub-groups, e.g. C (Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo). 

Several geographic C. canephora varieties have been defined, e.g. Robusta in the Congo (around 1890 

Gaillan collected seeds to start a nursery, now Robusta is commonly used for the whole species), Nganda 

in Uganda and Kouilou from Central Africa. The latter species is now widely grown in Brazil, named 

Conilon. 

53

Taxonomy_of_the_coffee_plant

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?