Cola cordifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Southwellia cordifolia
• Clompanus cordifolia
• Cola cordifolia var. puberula
• Sterculia cordifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, eventually reaching its taxonomic placement in the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Cola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cola cordifolia, exhibits a specific distribution pattern throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several distinct nations, starting with Burkina. It can also be found within the territories of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the country of Guinea. Finally, its geographical reach includes the coastal landscapes of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cola cordifolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural life form, the species is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte designations, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial stems or branches. This growth strategy allows the plant to maintain its structural integrity and reproductive capacity over an extended period within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cola cordifolia is characterized by its stature as a large tree, reaching a mean height of 15 m and a maximum height of approximately 15.24 m. It exhibits a woody structure and functions as a self-supporting climber, categorized as both a self-supporting climber and a self-supporting plant type. The species is terrestrial in nature, rather than aquatic or epiphytic, and grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15.24018532 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cola cordifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common to many tropical understory plants where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic process involves the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound, which dictates the plant's energy acquisition and gas exchange strategies within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the surrounding soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cola cordifolia is characterized by the development of fruit that can range in texture from fleshy to dry. Within these fruits, the seeds play a critical role in the propagation of the species, exhibiting a highly consistent size profile. Specifically, the seed volume is remarkably uniform, with a minimum, maximum, and mean volume all measured at exactly 7800 mm³. This stability in seed volume suggests a specialized evolutionary adaptation for efficient dispersal and germination within its natural habitat.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed volume max:

7800 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cola cordifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Chemicals

Cola cordifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include GALA, Pectins, Rha.

GALA

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Pectins

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Rha

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Conditions

Cola cordifolia has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dermatitis, nausea.

Dermatitis

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Nausea

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Preparations

Cola cordifolia has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CC1P1, bark.

Cc1p1

1. Scandinavian journal of immunology

Bark

1. Carbohydrate polymers