Cola nitida
Cola nitida, commonly known as the kola nut, is a perennial evergreen tree native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa. Renowned for its caffeine-rich seeds, it holds profound cultural and medicinal significance, used traditionally to boost energy, improve mental alertness, and serve as a vital social stimulant.
- Scientific name: Cola nitida
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Cola nitida, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is placed within 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, scientifically known as Cola nitida, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Poland, it is referred to as Kola błyszcząca, while in Azerbaijan, it is known as Parlaq kola. It is simply called Kola in Basque, and in Sweden, it is termed äkta kolaträd, whereas in Malayalam, it is known as കോളമരം.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Kola błyszcząca | Wikidata |
| az | Parlaq kola | Wikidata |
| eu | Kola | Wikidata |
| sv | äkta kolaträd | Wikidata |
| ml | കോളമരം | Wikidata |
| bm | Woro | Wikidata |
| arz | كولا نيتيدا | Wikidata |
| ar | جوز السودان | Wikidata |
| zh | 光亮可乐果 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 光亮可乐果 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Its natural range extends significantly through the coastal and inland regions of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the species can be found growing within the borders of The Gambia. The distribution continues eastward to include the tropical territories of Ghana. Finally, the plant is also documented as being present in Benin.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the kola nut, utilizes various components for its medicinal and stimulant properties. The seeds are the most widely recognized part of the plant, containing high concentrations of caffeine and theobromine, which are used globally for their invigorating effects. Additionally, the stem bark is often utilized in traditional medicinal practices, where it is valued for its specific bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cola nitida has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeine, Dimethylamine, LH, ethylamine, flavonoid.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| caffeine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dimethylamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethylamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isobutylamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isopentylamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methylamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cola nitida has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diarrhea, diarrhea, hypertension, insulin resistance.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |