Fall is here, and with it early school days, cold weather, and other things that require a quick pick-me-up. But there are plenty of things besides a cup of coffee or an energy drink to get that caffeine fix.

• Somewhere between 60 and 100 plant species are known to produce caffeine. Most temperate regions of the world have some native plant that produces the stimulant.

• The caffeine will be in either the plant’s seed or nut, as is the case with the coffee plant or kola nut, or in the leaves, as with various varieties of tea. So odds are good that somewhere, wherever you’ve been deserted, there’s a plant that contains caffeine.

• The kola nut (which gave the original formula for Coca-Cola its name, pep, and major flavor) is one of the most jolting substances on the planet. One nut weighs about seven grams, of which 200 milligrams is caffeine — which is like a large serving of Starbucks brewed coffee. All you have to do is chew. 

• The yaupon holly, which grows in the Southwestern U.S., was long used by the Choctaw, Cherokee, and other indigenous peoples to induce vomiting. However, the caffeine-rich plant doesn’t induce vomiting if made into a mild tea. Simply steam and roast the leaves, then steep.

• People seem to really like chocolate, and the dark variety has many important nutrients and beneficial compounds. It’s also got a bit of caffeine. A five-ounce bar packs about 70 milligrams, the same as a moderate cup of coffee.

• The Amazon rainforest and nearby areas are a hotbed of caffeinated plants. Guarana has about twice as much caffeine as coffee, while the yerba mate derivative guayusa packs all the stimulation with a less bitter taste. 

• There’s always soda, but those vary greatly by flavor and manufacturer. Of broadly available varieties, the one to provide the biggest wallop is Sun Drop. A citrus soda made by the same company that produces Dr Pepper, 12 ounces contain 64 ounces of caffeine — about twice as much as a Coca-Cola or a Coke Zero.