Among the robusta varieties, Coffea canephora is a distinct species, well characterized by growth, leaves, and berries. The branches are slender and thinner than robusta; the leaves are dark green and narrower; the flowers are often tinged with red; the unripe berries are purple, the ripe berries bright red and oblong. The produce is like robusta, only the shape of the bean, somewhat narrower and more oblong, makes it look more attractive. Coffea canephora, like C. robusta, seems better fitted to higher altitudes.
Other canephora varieties include:
Madagascar, having small, slightly striped, bright red berries and small round beans;
Quillouensis, having dark green foliage and reddish brown young leaves; and,
Stenophylla Paris, with purplish young berries.
These last two named were under test at the Bangelan gardens in 1919.
Among other allied robusta species are:
Ugandæ:, whose produce is said to possess a better flavor than robusta;
Bukobensis, different from Ugandæ in the color of its berries, which are a dark red; and
Quillou, having bright red fruit, a copper-colored silver skin, three pounds of fruit producing one pound of market coffee. Some people prefer Quillou to robusta because of the difference in the taste of the roasted bean.