[1] The description of velvet is based on the silky appearance that the leaves display in relation to other species of the same plant family.

Some features that can be used to describe Psychotria tenuifolia would be dull or blue-green leaves which are about 4–7 in (100–180 mm) long.

[5] Psychotria tenuifolia grows in regions that are usually moist and can be found in locations where the other large plants provide shade for it.

It is native to tropical and subtropical moist areas such as Florida, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Cuba, Brazil, as well as the Caribbean.

Psychotria tenuifolia was traditionally used in the Caribbean as a home remedy to treat colds, fevers, stomach sickness, asthma, and other conditions such as swelling, sores, tumors, and skin fungus.