Identifying coffee plants by their physical form is a valuable skill for farmers, planters, and coffee lovers. The physical characteristics of coffee plants can provide clues about the type of coffee grown, its variety, and optimal growing conditions. This article will present a practical guide to identifying coffee plants based on their physical form, so as to help improve our understanding of our coffee plants.
Observing Leaf Shape and Size
Identification of Coffee Plant Types
Make sure you know the type of coffee plant being observed, whether it is Arabica coffee or Robusta coffee. The two types of coffee have differences in the shape and size of their leaves.
Select Leaf Sample
Select a few leaves from the coffee plant you wish to observe. Try to choose leaves that are healthy and representative of the plant.
Pay attention to the shape of the leaves
Observe the overall shape of each coffee leaf. Arabica and Robusta coffee leaves have quite distinctive differences in shape.
Arabica Coffee Leaf
Typically, Arabica coffee leaves are oval or ovoid in shape with tapered tips and a wider base.
Robusta Coffee Leaf
Robusta coffee leaves tend to be larger and wider than Arabica leaves. The shape is more elliptical or oval with a more pointed tip.
Observe the Leaf Edge
Look at the edges of the leaves to assess whether they are flat, serrated or notched. These differences can help in identifying the type of coffee.
Measure Leaf Size
Using a ruler or other measuring tool, measure the length and width of each leaf. Note down these measurements for further reference.
Watch for Leaf Venation
Venation is the pattern of vessels on a leaf that carry water and nutrients. Note whether the venation of Arabica and Robusta coffee leaves has a pattern of parallel venation or branched venation.
Identify other characteristics
Observe whether the leaves have other distinctive features, such as leaf surface texture, leaf color, or leaf distribution patterns on plant branches.
Understanding Trunk and Branch Characteristics
Rod Shape
Coffee plant stems can vary in shape, depending on the type of coffee and growing conditions. Arabica and Robusta coffee trunks are usually upright with branches that grow regularly from the main trunk.
Bark Texture
The bark of coffee can differ depending on the type. In Arabica coffee, the bark is usually smooth and brown or grayish in color. Whereas in Robusta coffee, the bark tends to be rougher and more brownish in color.
Characteristic Trunk
Some coffee plants can have special characteristics on their stems, such as blotches or other special markings that help in identifying the type of coffee.
Stem Length and Diameter
Measure the length and diameter of the stem to get information on the growth and size of the coffee plant. Typically, Robusta coffee has a larger stem than Arabica coffee.
Characteristics of Coffee Branches
Branch Position
Observe how the branches grow from the main trunk. In coffee plants, branches usually grow from the main trunk in a regular pattern.
Number of Branches
The number of branches on a coffee plant can vary depending on the age and condition of the plant. Younger plants may have fewer branches than older plants.
Branch Growth Pattern
Coffee branches can grow in a vertical or horizontal pattern depending on the type. Some coffee plants have branches that grow spread out, while others have branches that grow evenly around the main trunk.
Buds and Buds
Observe the buds and buds on the branches. Buds are new growth that will become branches or leaves, while buds are structures that protect the buds while they are still in the growth phase.
Flower and Fruit Identification
Arabica Coffee Flower (Coffea arabica)
Flower structure
Arabica coffee flowers are star-shaped and have white petals covering a white to pink crown.
Floral scent
Arabica coffee flowers usually have a fragrant and pleasant aroma.
Flowering pattern
Arabica coffee flowers grow in clusters consisting of a number of flowers that develop simultaneously on older branches.
Pollination
Arabica coffee flowers rely on cross-pollination, which is usually carried out by insects, such as bees, that help move pollen from the stamens to the pistil.
Arabica Coffee Fruit (Coffea arabica)
Fruit shape
Arabica coffee fruits are oval-shaped and usually have tapered ends.
Fruit color
Arabica coffee fruits when ripe are bright red in color. However, before ripening, the fruit can be green or pink in color.
Texture of fruit skin
The skin of the Arabica coffee fruit is smooth when ripe.
Contents in fruit
Inside the Arabica coffee fruit, there are coffee beans (green coffee beans) that usually consist of two beans side by side, known as flat beans.
Robusta Coffee Flower (Coffea canephora)
Flower structure
Robusta coffee flowers are star-shaped and have greenish-white petals and a white corolla.
Floral scent
Robusta coffee flowers usually have a less attractive aroma compared to Arabica flowers.
Flowering pattern
Robusta coffee flowers grow in clusters of several flowers that develop simultaneously.
Pollination
Robusta coffee flowers also require cross-pollination, which is usually done by insects such as bees or ants.
Robusta Coffee Fruit (Coffea canephora)
Fruit shape
Robusta coffee fruits are round and usually smaller than Arabica fruits.
Fruit color
Robusta coffee fruits when ripe are dark red to brown in color.
Texture of fruit skin
The skin of Robusta coffee fruit is thicker and rougher than the skin of Arabica fruit.
Contents in fruit
Inside the Robusta coffee fruit there are also coffee beans (green coffee beans) which consist of two beans side by side.
Plant Shoot Observation
Pucuk Location
Notice where the shoots are located on the coffee plant. Shoots are usually found at the end of the stem or on young branches.
Shoot Growth Pattern
Observe how the shoots grow and develop over time. The shoots of the coffee plant will continue to grow vertically if the plant is still in the active growth phase.
Bud Development
Notice how new shoots develop from the shoots. New shoots are growths that will become new branches or leaves on coffee plants.
Shoot Damage and Shape
Note the size and shape of the shoots. Healthy shoots are usually proportional in size to the plant and have a tapered shape.
Shoot Color
Observe the color of the shoots, which are usually light green to dark green, depending on the level of development.
Shoot Condition and Health
Note if the shoots appear healthy or if there may be symptoms of disease or damage to these parts.
Signs of Active Growth
Actively growing shootswill show signs such as new buds opening, new leaf growth, and periodic increases in size.
Understand the Characteristics of Varieties or Cultivars
The observation of coffee plant shoots is very important because the shoots are the main growth part of the coffee plant and are the place for the growth of new shoots. Here are some things to note when observing the shoots of coffee plants:
Pucuk Location
Notice where the shoots are located on the coffee plant. Shoots are usually found at the end of the stem or on young branches.
Shoot Growth Pattern
Observe how the shoots grow and develop over time. The shoots of the coffee plant will continue to grow vertically if the plant is still in the active growth phase.
Bud Development
Notice how new shoots develop from the shoots. New shoots are growths that will become new branches or leaves on coffee plants.
Shoot Size and Shape
Note the size and shape of the shoots. Healthy shoots are usually proportional in size to the plant and have a tapered shape.
Shoot Color
Observe the color of the shoots, which are usually light green to dark green, depending on the level of development.
Shoot Condition and Health
Note if the shoots appear healthy or if there may be symptoms of disease or damage to these parts.
Signs of Active Growth
Actively growing shoots will show signs such as new buds opening, new leaf growth, and periodic increases in size.
Use Visual References
Identifying coffee plants can be made easier by using visual references, such as guidebooks, posters, or online resources that provide pictures of coffee plants along with descriptions of their characteristics.
Visit a Coffee Farm or Plantation
Hands-on practice is the best way to reinforce knowledge about identifying coffee plants. Visit coffee farms or plantations in your area and ask farmers or agricultural experts to help you identify the different types of coffee based on their physical form.
Are you a coffee lover? It’s time to visit the KopiKita platform to find coffee from various regions in Indonesia at the best price.
