Closely related to Cola acuminata[].

Common Name: Cola Nut

General Information

Cola nitida is a large-leaved evergreen, understorey tree, generally growing about 9 - 12 metres tall but with some specimens up to 27 metres[, , ]. The bole, which is not always straight and cylindrical, has a diameter up to 1.5 metres, often with narrow buttresses extending for 1 metre in old trees[].
The seed has long been used traditionally by native peoples as a stimulant chewed to alleviate fatigue, hunger and thirst, especially when on long hunting trips[]. It is now widely cultivated, especially in the tropics of Africa, for its seed which is used as a stimulating drink[]. It is also sometimes grown as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Tropical Africa - Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire eastward to Ghana.

Habitat

Lowland forest, usually at elevations up to 300 metres, but also found up to 800 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

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[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 3,500mm[]. It is capable of withstanding 3 or more months of dry season[].
Prefers a rich, well-drained soil and a position in full sun[]. Young trees require some shade[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.3 - 7[].
Initial growth is slow, with trees reaching only 3 metres in 4 years[].
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[]. Yields of 300 nuts per tree are considered good[].
In some regions the tree may flower almost all the time, so harvesting is continuous throughout the year[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic seed is especially rich in caffeine, with some seeds having up to 3.5% caffeine, and acts as a stimulant[, ]. 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[]. When chewed, it also has the effect of modifying the taste sensation so that any food or drink consumed immediately afterwards seems sweet[].

An extract, prepared from the dried kernels, is used to flavour carbonated drinks, ice cream, candy, baked goods etc[].

Medicinal

The seeds are an astringent, bitter-sweet, anti-depressant herb that has a stimulant effect, especially on the heart[].
The powdered seeds are taken internally in tonics, in the treatment of exhaustion, low energy and poor appetite[]. They are also used in treating diarrhoea[].

The following information has been copied from the entry for Cola acuminata since the seeds are used interchangeably[].

Cola nuts contain up to 2.5% caffeine, plus theobromine, tannins, phlobaphene and an anthocyanin[]. They stimulate the nervous system when chewed and are also considered to be a digestive tonic, diuretic, astringent and antidepressant[, , ]. 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[].
Because of its astringent properties, cola is used as a non-addictive stimulant in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[, ], and also to prevent vomiting in cases of high fever[]. It has also been used in the treatment of headaches and migraine[].
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[].
The crushed nuts are boiled together with the leaves of Morinda lucida and the liquid taken internally to cure piles[].
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[].
The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried in the sun[].

An infusion of the bark mixed with ginger and a little pepper is taken internally to cure stomach ulcers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants are often used as shade trees in cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plantations[].

Other Uses

The sapwood is pinkish-white and the heartwood dull yellow[]. The wood is susceptible to borers[]. It is suitable for furniture, house and boat building, coach-work, plates, domestic utensils, gun stocks, joinery and carvings[, ].
The wood is a good source of fuel[].

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[]. Sow the seed individually in containers[]. Germination is slow, taking 2 - 3 months[]. Germination within 10 - 18 days has been achieved when the seed was sown at a temperature of 30c[]. Higher germination levels have been achieved when the cotyledons were parted before sowing[]. The improved germination could be a result of the removal of this mechanical constraint[]. Seedlings can be planted out after about 12 months[].
The seeds are sensitive to drying and low temperatures[]. 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.[].

Cuttings of mature wood[].

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