My conjecture is that this is another member of the Rubiaceae family, specifically, the genus Coffea and species C. arabica. Right, that would be better known as “Arabica” coffee.
From the Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b632
“Arabian coffee is an upright tropical evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to 10-15' tall. Although native to Ethiopia, Arabian coffee has been cultivated in Arabia for over 1000 years. … In coffee plantations, plants are kept trimmed to 6' tall for ease of harvest and best production. … Plants feature (a) glabrous, glossy, elliptical, dark green leaves with prominent veins and wavy margins, (b) fragrant (resembles the aroma of jasmine), star-shaped, white flowers that bloom in axillary clusters of 2–9, (c) green two-seeded fruits (berries) that gradually mature to yellow, light red and finally deep red and (d) fissured bark on older branches. Berries are edible with a pulpy grape-like texture, but it is the seeds (coffee beans) that are coveted. Berries are picked by hand when ripe and depulped, with the extracted seeds/beans then dried in the sun before roasting. Coffee beans contain caffeine.”
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
