Kola nut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Kola nut
• Gbanja kola
• bitter cola
• kola

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Braxipis nitida
• Sterculia nitida
• Sterculia cola
• Cola alba
• Bichea nitida
• Cola acuminata var. latifolia
• Cola astrophora
• Cola vera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cola nitida is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems above the ground level, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. This species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, which allows for continuous metabolic activity. Its biological classification as a phanerophyte is consistent across its developmental stages, supporting a robust and enduring life cycle within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cola nitida is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, capable of reaching significant dimensions in the wild. It typically attains a mean plant height of approximately 20 m, though individual specimens can reach a maximum height of up to 24.38 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without behaving as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining a self-supporting structure. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this plant does not require external support to maintain its upright, tree-like stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24.38429651 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cola nitida is characterized by its metabolic processes as a perennial evergreen tree, primarily focused on efficient photosynthesis and nutrient uptake within tropical rainforest ecosystems. As a member of the Malvaceae family, its physiological framework supports rapid vegetative growth and the production of nutrient-dense seeds containing high concentrations of alkaloids, such as caffeine and theobromine, which influence its metabolic signaling. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, its nitrogen acquisition is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the organic matter in the soil through its extensive root system. This reliance on external nitrogen sources dictates its physiological requirement for nutrient-rich, well-drained tropical soils to sustain its reproductive cycles and maintain the chemical composition of its kola nuts.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cola nitida 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 seed, stem.

Seed

1. BioMed research international

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Cola nitida has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeine, ETHYLAMINE, Flavonoid, ISOBUTYLAMINE, Isopentylamine.

caffeine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

ETHYLAMINE

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Flavonoid

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

ISOBUTYLAMINE

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Isopentylamine

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

LH

1. Comptes rendus des seances de la Societe de biologie et de ses filiales

METHYLAMINE

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

PIPERIDINE

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

PYRROLIDINE

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

SAPONIN

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Conditions

Cola nitida has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Diarrhea, diarrhea, hypertension, insulin resistance.

Diarrhea

1. BioMed research international

Diarrhea

1. BioMed research international

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Insulin resistance

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Cola nitida has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hydro-alcoholic extracts.

Hydro-alcoholic extracts

1. Comptes rendus des seances de la Societe de biologie et de ses filiales