We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Cola nitida - (Vent.) Schott & Endl.

Common Name Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nuts
Family Malvaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowland forest, usually at elevations up to 300 metres, but also found up to 800 metres[ 324 , 418 ].
Range Western Tropical Africa - Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire eastward to Ghana.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cola nitida Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nuts


Michael Hermann wikimedia.org
Cola nitida Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nuts
Michael Hermann wikimedia.org

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Native to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria, Cola nitida, or Cola Nut/ Ghanja Kola, is a tropical tree of about 8-12 in height that grows in lowland rainforest. It is buttressed to 1m high and its trunk can be branchless for a few meters. The bark is cracked and grey in colour but small branches are smooth. The leaves are simple, leathery, and dark green. The flowers form into short, irregular clusters forming a cup. They are white with red marks inside. The fruits are green, shiny, made up of 5 cells which curve back, and contain about 10 seeds per fruit. The seed has a stimulant effect, especially on the heart. Powdered seed can be taken internally in tonics and as a treatment for diarrhoea. C. nitida is used interchangeably with C. acuminata as they have similar medicinal uses. It is chewed to stimulate the nervous system and to counteract overstrain and depression. It has astringent properties and is used as a non-addictive stimulant against dysentery, diarrhoea, vomiting in high fever, headaches, and migraine. The seed is aromatic and rich in caffeine. It is chewed or ground into a powder and made into drinks. Extract from dried kernels is used as flavouring in carbonated drinks, ice cream, candies, and baked goods. Furthermore, the plant is used as shade trees in cocoa plantations. The wood is susceptible to borers but can be used in furniture, house an boat building, plates, etc. It also is a good fuel source.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Cola nitida is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cola acuminata latifolia K.Schum. Cola vera K.Schum. Sterculia nitida Vent.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee  Drink

The aromatic seed is especially rich in caffeine, with some seeds having up to 3.5% caffeine, and acts as a stimulant[ 238 , 301 ]. It can be chewed or ground into a powder and made into a drink in order to give energy, increase alertness, retard hunger and fatigue, aid digestion and increase stamina[ 301 ]. When chewed, it also has the effect of modifying the taste sensation so that any food or drink consumed immediately afterwards seems sweet[ 301 ]. An extract, prepared from the dried kernels, is used to flavour carbonated drinks, ice cream, candy, baked goods etc[ 301 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidepressant  Antidiarrhoeal  Antihaemorrhoidal  Appetizer  Astringent  Bitter  Diuretic  Dysentery  
Stimulant  Tonic

The seeds are an astringent, bitter-sweet, anti-depressant herb that has a stimulant effect, especially on the heart[ 238 ]. The powdered seeds are taken internally in tonics, in the treatment of exhaustion, low energy and poor appetite[ 238 ]. They are also used in treating diarrhoea[ 238 ]. The following information has been copied from the entry for Cola acuminata since the seeds are used interchangeably[ 254 ]. Cola nuts contain up to 2.5% caffeine, plus theobromine, tannins, phlobaphene and an anthocyanin[ 254 ]. They stimulate the nervous system when chewed and are also considered to be a digestive tonic, diuretic, astringent and antidepressant[ 254 , 303 , 307 ]. They counteract overstrain and depression thus improving the physical and mental state. The principle action is that of caffeine. Other active principles include theobromine and kolatine[ 303 ]. Because of its astringent properties, cola is used as a non-addictive stimulant in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[ 254 , 303 ], and also to prevent vomiting in cases of high fever[ 303 ]. It has also been used in the treatment of headaches and migraine[ 254 ]. It has been used in combination with coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca) to produce a stimulant drug that has been used as 'Forced March' tablets by explorers and military expeditions[ 303 ]. The crushed nuts are boiled together with the leaves of Morinda lucida and the liquid taken internally to cure piles[ 303 ]. The nuts ground to a fine paste together with the leaves of Scoparia dulce, are dissolved in a little water and a few drops are administered orally to babies for headache[ 303 ]. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried in the sun[ 254 ]. An infusion of the bark mixed with ginger and a little pepper is taken internally to cure stomach ulcers[ 303 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Fuel  Furniture  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: Plants are often used as shade trees in cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plantations[ 238 ]. Other Uses The sapwood is pinkish-white and the heartwood dull yellow[ 303 ]. The wood is susceptible to borers[ 324 ]. It is suitable for furniture, house and boat building, coach-work, plates, domestic utensils, gun stocks, joinery and carvings[ 303 , 324 ]. The wood is a good source of fuel[ 303 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the hot, humid, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It can be cultivated in drier areas as long as ground water is available[ 324 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[ 418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 3,500mm[ 418 ]. It is capable of withstanding 3 or more months of dry season[ 324 ]. Prefers a rich, well-drained soil and a position in full sun[ 238 ]. Young trees require some shade[ 324 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.3 - 7[ 418 ]. Initial growth is slow, with trees reaching only 3 metres in 4 years[ 324 ]. Trees start producing at around the age of 12 - 15 years and can produce 10 - 16 kilos of seed annually for more than 80 years[ 238 ]. Yields of 300 nuts per tree are considered good[ 324 ]. In some regions the tree may flower almost all the time, so harvesting is continuous throughout the year[ 418 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

The seeds are thought to require a period of dormancy for effective germination and growth. Pre-soaking for 24 hours can improve the level of germination[ 325 ]. Sow the seed individually in containers[ 200 ]. Germination is slow, taking 2 - 3 months[ 324 ]. Germination within 10 - 18 days has been achieved when the seed was sown at a temperature of 30°c[ 325 ]. Higher germination levels have been achieved when the cotyledons were parted before sowing[ 325 ]. The improved germination could be a result of the removal of this mechanical constraint[ 325 ]. Seedlings can be planted out after about 12 months[ 325 ]. The seeds are sensitive to drying and low temperatures[ 325 ]. They do not tolerate drying to less than c. 30% moisture content. They can be maintained for one year or more without loss in viability, with the seeds wrapped in banana leaves at room temperature.[ 325 ]. Cuttings of mature wood[ 200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Cola nitida, or Cola Nut/ Ghanja Kola, Other Names: Ajauru, Bakuru, Buur, Cola, Coleira, Colo-fuque, Curo-djo-o, Curo, Evbe, Ghanja Kola, Goro, Mancuur, N'kola, Obi-gbanja, Uncurame.

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Africa, Asia, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, C™te d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, GuinŽe, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Togo, Vietnam, West Africa.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Akebia quinataAkebia, Chocolate vine, Fiveleaf Akebia, Chocolate VineClimber12.0 4-9 FLMHFSNM423
Amelanchier basalticolaDwarf Service-berryShrub3.0 4-8  LMHSNM400
Chenopodium pratericolaDesert GoosefootAnnual1.0 -  LMHNM201
Cola acuminataCola Nut, Kola, Bissy NutTree20.0 10-12 MLMHNM342
Dalbergia monticolaHazovola, tsiandalana, voamboanaTree12.0 10-12 SLMHNM004
Dichopogon fimbriatusChocolate LilyPerennial0.5 -  LMHNM30 
Dichopogon strictusChocolate LilyPerennial0.9 8-11  LMHNM30 
Diospyros digynaBlack Sapote, Chocolate Pudding TreeTree15.0 10-12 SLMHSNM412
Exocarpus syrticolaCoast Ballart 0.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Fragaria nubicolaIndian StrawberryPerennial0.2 5-9  LMHSNM21 
Fritillaria affinisChocolate Lily, Checker lilyBulb0.6 4-8  LMSNM300
Juniperus silicicolaSouthern Redcedar, Juniper, Southern Red CedarTree20.0 7-10 SLMHNDM223
Physalis arenicolaCypresshead groundcherryPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Pinus culminicolaCerro Potosi PinyonTree5.0 6-9  LMNDM223
Pinus monticolaWestern White PineTree60.0 4-8 FLMNDM223
Rubus phoenicolasiusJapanese Wineberry, Wine raspberryShrub3.0 4-8 MLMHSNM501
Sphagneticola trilobataSingapore daisyPerennial0.4 9-11 FLMHSNDM022
Vitex payosChocolate BerryTree8.0 10-12 MLMHNDM422
Vitis monticolaSweet Mountain GrapeClimber10.0 5-9  LMHSNDM301
Yucca rupicolaTwisted-Leaf Yucca, Texas yuccaShrub0.6 8-11  LMHSNDM202

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(Vent.) Schott & Endl.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Cola nitida  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.