Giant Cola

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Giant Cola

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Cola gigantea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Malvaceae and the genus Cola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this specific area, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence also extends to the nation of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is located throughout parts of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cola gigantea is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its vegetative functions and persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that allows it to develop into a substantial woody plant. This phanerophyte life form, categorized both as a general phanerophyte and specifically under the morphological classification of phanerophyte, ensures that its vital meristematic tissues are elevated, contributing to its long-term survival and structural presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cola gigantea is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average plant height of 25 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of approximately 30.48 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently of other organisms, functioning as an independent plant rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Its structural development is self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures for climbing, such as vines or lianas, and maintains a stable, upright stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30.48037064 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cola gigantea is characterized by a highly flexible and potentially continuous flowering pattern. The flowering cycle is notably variable, with the onset of flowering (flowering start) and the conclusion of the blooming period (flowering end) occurring across a wide spectrum of the year. While specific months such as November are noted, the reproductive window can encompass any month from January through December, depending on environmental conditions and local variables. This variability suggests that the plant does not strictly adhere to a single seasonal peak but rather possesses a broad and adaptable flowering timeframe.

Flowering time :

Nov

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cola gigantea has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Seed

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Cola gigantea has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CAMPESTEROL, STIGMASTEROL, Sterolic acid, cholesterol, ethanol.

CAMPESTEROL

1. Pharmaceutical biology

STIGMASTEROL

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Sterolic acid

1. Pharmaceutical biology

cholesterol

1. Pharmaceutical biology

ethanol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Cola gigantea has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Cola gigantea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Cola gigantea has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seed oil.

Seed oil

1. Pharmaceutical biology