Cola gigantea
Cola gigantea, commonly known as the giant cola, is a significant medicinal plant native to West African tropical forests. Renowned for its stimulant properties and nutritional value, it is traditionally used to treat fatigue, digestive issues, and fever. Its potent seeds offer diverse therapeutic applications in traditional herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Cola gigantea
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Africa
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cola | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Cola gigantea, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the Giant Kola. In French, it is known as Kola géant, while in Spanish, the plant is called Kola gigante. In Portuguese, it is identified as Kola gigante, and in German, it is referred to as Riesenkola.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cola gigantea, offers various components that are utilized for their medicinal and practical properties. The leaves are often employed in traditional remedies, frequently used to address ailments such as fever or inflammation. The bark is another significant part of the plant, often harvested for its bioactive compounds which can aid in treating digestive issues or skin conditions. Additionally, the seed oil extracted from its large seeds is highly valued, serving as a nutrient-rich base for topical applications and traditional wellness practices.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cola gigantea has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include campesterol, cholesterol, ethanol, sterolic acid, stigmasterol.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| campesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cola gigantea has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cola gigantea has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Toxoplasma gondii.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Toxoplasma gondii | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |