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{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{refimprove|date=December 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2019}}
{{Speciesbox
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|image = Cola acuminata, flower of the Kola Nut tree (9906050364).jpg
|image = Cola acuminata, flower of the Kola Nut tree (9906050364).jpg
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'''''Cola acuminata''''' is a [[species]] in the genus ''[[Cola (plant)|Cola]]'', of the family [[Malvaceae]], native to tropical Africa. It is generally known for its fruit, the [[kola nut]], originally used to impart the [[cola]] flavor in manufactured beverages, such as [[Coca-Cola]].<ref name="pff">{{cite web |title=''Cola acuminata'' - (P.Beauv.) Schott & Endl. |url=https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cola+acuminata |publisher=Plants For A Future |accessdate=23 December 2019 |date=2012}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite news |author1=Veronique Greenwood |title=The little-known nut that gave Coca-Cola its name |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160922-the-nut-that-helped-to-build-a-global-empire |accessdate=23 December 2019 |work=BBC News - Future |date=23 September 2016 |quote=These days, the Coca-Cola recipe is a closely guarded secret. But it's said to no longer contain kola nut extract, relying instead on artificial imitations to achieve the flavour}}</ref>
'''''Cola acuminata''''' is a [[species]] in the genus ''[[Cola (plant)|Cola]]'', of the family [[Malvaceae]], native to tropical Africa. It is generally known for its fruit, the [[kola nut]], originally used to impart the [[cola]] flavor in manufactured beverages, such as [[Coca-Cola]].<ref name="pff">{{cite web |title=''Cola acuminata'' - (P.Beauv.) Schott & Endl. |url=https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cola+acuminata |publisher=Plants For A Future |access-date=23 December 2019 |date=2012}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite news |author1=Veronique Greenwood |title=The little-known nut that gave Coca-Cola its name |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160922-the-nut-that-helped-to-build-a-global-empire |access-date=23 December 2019 |work=BBC News - Future |date=23 September 2016 |quote=These days, the Coca-Cola recipe is a closely guarded secret. But it's said to no longer contain kola nut extract, relying instead on artificial imitations to achieve the flavour}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
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==Fruits==
==Fruits==
The fruits are rough, mottled and up to {{convert|8|in|cm}} long and contain large, flat and bright red coloured seeds, commonly known as kola nuts.<ref name=bbc/> The seed contains 1.25 - 2.4% [[caffeine]], and can be chewed or ground into a powder added to beverages to increase alertness, diminish fatigue, and increase stamina.<ref name=pff/>
The fruits are rough, mottled and up to {{convert|8|in|cm}} long and contain large, flat and bright red coloured seeds, commonly known as kola nuts.<ref name=bbc/> The seed contains 1.25 - 2.4% [[caffeine]], and can be chewed or ground into a powder added to beverages to increase alertness, diminish fatigue, and increase stamina.<ref name=pff/> These seeds are unique in having as many as six [[cotyledons]], the greatest number of any [[dicot]]. 99.99% of dicots have two cotyledons. <ref>Keay andOnochie , Nigerian trees , Lagos: Govt printing .page 229)</ref>


==Uses==
==Uses==
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>File:Cola acuminata - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-183.jpg|thumb|''Cola acuminata'' in flower : coloured plate from ''[[Köhler's Medicinal Plants|Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen]]''
Image:Koeh-190.jpg|thumb|''Cola acuminata'' in fruit, also from ''Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen''
File:Cola acuminata - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-183.jpg|''Cola acuminata'' in flower : coloured plate from ''[[Köhler's Medicinal Plants|Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen]]''
File:Pg157 Sterculia cola ou Sterculia acuminata.jpg|thumb|Botanical line drawing of anatomy of ''C. acuminata'', showing warty exterior of pod, from ''Du Niger au golfe de Guiné...'', by [[Louis Gustave Binger]]
Image:Koeh-190.jpg|''Cola acuminata'' in fruit, also from ''Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen''
File:Pg157 Sterculia cola ou Sterculia acuminata.jpg|Botanical line drawing of anatomy of ''C. acuminata'', showing warty exterior of pod, from ''Du Niger au golfe de Guiné...'', by [[Louis Gustave Binger]]
File:Cola MS 6687.JPG|thumb|Kola nuts spread out for sale in the central market in [[Ouagadougou]], Burkina Faso
File:Cola MS 6687.JPG|Kola nuts spread out for sale in the central market in [[Ouagadougou]], Burkina Faso
File:Cola acuminata - African kola nut seeds, with twigs.jpg|thumb|Dried kola nuts and [[chewing stick]]s harvested from ''C. acuminata''</gallery>
File:Cola acuminata - African kola nut seeds, with twigs.jpg|Dried kola nuts and [[chewing stick]]s harvested from ''C. acuminata''
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q522881}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q522881}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Cola (plant)|acuminata]]
[[Category:Cola (plant)|acuminata]]
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[[Category:Flora of West Tropical Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of West Tropical Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]





Latest revision as of 10:39, 4 February 2024

Cola acuminata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Cola
Species:
C. acuminata
Binomial name
Cola acuminata
Synonyms

Sterculia acuminata

Cola acuminata is a species in the genus Cola, of the family Malvaceae, native to tropical Africa. It is generally known for its fruit, the kola nut, originally used to impart the cola flavor in manufactured beverages, such as Coca-Cola.[1][2]

Description

[edit]

The kola tree mainly inhabits lowlands, and is medium-sized with low branches, grey or dark green bark, dark green leaves, and white flowers pollinated by insects.[1] It usually grows to a height of about 13–20 metres (43–66 ft), is hardy to zones 10-12 (USDA), and is vulnerable to frost.[1] The tree prefers moist, sandy, loam or clay soils that are well-drained with neutral acidity.[1] It requires sun exposure and can tolerate drought.[1]

Fruits

[edit]

The fruits are rough, mottled and up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and contain large, flat and bright red coloured seeds, commonly known as kola nuts.[2] The seed contains 1.25 - 2.4% caffeine, and can be chewed or ground into a powder added to beverages to increase alertness, diminish fatigue, and increase stamina.[1] These seeds are unique in having as many as six cotyledons, the greatest number of any dicot. 99.99% of dicots have two cotyledons. [3]

Uses

[edit]

Its fruits are harvested from the forests of West Africa.[2] The fruits contain about 2% catechin-caffeine, theobromine and kolatin. They are roasted, pounded or chewed, and can be added to drinks, such as tea or milk, or cereal such as porridge.[2] When the whole nuts are chewed, they have a bitter flavour, but leave a sweet aftertaste that enhances flavour and sweetness of other foods in the meal.[1]

In Africa, kola nuts may be used in traditional medicine or as a food colorant, while the wood may be used as fuel, or for making furniture, houses or boats.[1]

[edit]
  • Cola acuminata in flower : coloured plate from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
    Cola acuminata in flower : coloured plate from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
  • Cola acuminata in fruit, also from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
    Cola acuminata in fruit, also from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
  • Botanical line drawing of anatomy of C. acuminata, showing warty exterior of pod, from Du Niger au golfe de Guiné..., by Louis Gustave Binger
    Botanical line drawing of anatomy of C. acuminata, showing warty exterior of pod, from Du Niger au golfe de Guiné..., by Louis Gustave Binger
  • Kola nuts spread out for sale in the central market in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
    Kola nuts spread out for sale in the central market in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
  • Dried kola nuts and chewing sticks harvested from C. acuminata
    Dried kola nuts and chewing sticks harvested from C. acuminata

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Cola acuminata - (P.Beauv.) Schott & Endl". Plants For A Future. 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Veronique Greenwood (23 September 2016). "The little-known nut that gave Coca-Cola its name". BBC News - Future. Retrieved 23 December 2019. These days, the Coca-Cola recipe is a closely guarded secret. But it's said to no longer contain kola nut extract, relying instead on artificial imitations to achieve the flavour
  3. ^ Keay andOnochie , Nigerian trees , Lagos: Govt printing .page 229)


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