Cola acuminata

Cola acuminata is a species in the genus Cola, of the family Malvaceae, native to tropical Africa. It is generally known for its fruit, the kola nut, chewed as a source of caffeine in West Africa and used to impart the cola flavor in manufactured beverages such as Coca-Cola.^[1][2]

Cola acuminata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Cola
Species:	C. acuminata
Binomial name
Cola acuminata Schott & Endl.
Synonyms
Sterculia acuminata

Description

The kola tree mainly inhabits lowlands, and is medium-sized with low branches, grey or dark green bark, dark green leaves, and white flowers pollinated by insects.^[1] It usually grows to a height of about 13–20 metres (43–66 ft), is hardy to zones 10-12 (USDA), and is vulnerable to frost.^[1] The tree prefers moist, sandy, loam or clay soils that are well-drained with neutral acidity.^[1] It requires sun exposure and can tolerate drought.^[1]

Fruits

The fruits are rough, mottled and up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and contain large, flat and bright red coloured seeds, commonly known as kola nuts.^[2] The seed contains 1.25 - 2.4% caffeine, and can be chewed or ground into a powder added to beverages to increase alertness, diminish fatigue, and increase stamina.^[1] These seeds are unique in having as many as six cotyledons, the greatest number of any dicot. 99.99% of dicots have two cotyledons. ^[3]

Uses

Its fruits are harvested from the forests of West Africa.^[2] The fruits contain about 2% catechin-caffeine, theobromine and kolatin. They are roasted, pounded or chewed, and can be added to drinks, such as tea or milk, or cereal such as porridge.^[2] When the whole nuts are chewed, they have a bitter flavour, but leave a sweet aftertaste that enhances flavour and sweetness of other foods in the meal.^[1]

In Africa, kola nuts may be used in traditional medicine or as a food colorant, while the wood may be used as fuel, or for making furniture, houses or boats.^[1]

Gallery

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  Cola acuminata in flower : coloured plate from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
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  Cola acuminata in fruit, also from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
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  Botanical line drawing of anatomy of C. acuminata, showing warty exterior of pod, from Du Niger au golfe de Guiné..., by Louis Gustave Binger
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  Kola nuts spread out for sale in the central market in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• 
  Dried kola nuts and chewing sticks harvested from C. acuminata