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| − | '''''Cola nitida''''' is a [[species]] of plant belonging to the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Malvaceae]].
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| − | It is a tree native to the rainforests of tropical West Africa. Common names include '''kola nut''', '''cola''', '''kola''' and '''bitter kola'''.<ref name=Kew>{{cite web |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:822755-1 |title=''Cola nitida'' (kola nut) |publisher=Kew Royal Botanic Gardens |accessdate=2015-01-22}}</ref> The seeds contain [[caffeine]] and are chewed as a stimulant and used in the manufacture of soft drinks. The nuts and other parts of the tree have many uses of a ceremonial nature and in traditional medicine. The timber has multiple uses.
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| − | ==Description==
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| − | ''Cola nitida'' is an evergreen tree growing to a height of {{convert|12|to|20|m}}. The trunk is up to {{convert|1.5|m|1|abbr=on}} in diameter and older trees develop buttresses. The bark is thick and fibrous, with deep longitudinal fissures. It is grey or brownish-grey, with pinkish-red wood becoming visible when the bark is damaged. The leaves have stalks and are alternate, oblong, glabrous, leathery and tough, with untoothed wavy margins and up to {{convert|33|cm|0|abbr=on}}. The flowers have parts in fives. They grow in [[panicle]]s from the leaf axils and have no petals. Male flowers have a deeply lobed, cup-shaped calyx about {{convert|2|cm|1|abbr=on}} in diameter with two whorls of stamens. Female flowers are larger at {{convert|5|cm|1|abbr=on}} diameter, with five carpels. The calyx is yellow with red [[nectar guide]]s, and are followed by fleshy fruits up to {{convert|13|cm|1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|7|cm|1|abbr=on}} wide. When ripe, the pods split open to reveal the seeds which may be mottled white, reddish-grey or brown. The seeds are bitter when fresh but become more aromatic as they age.<ref name=Britannica>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/124878/Cola#ref272916 |title=''Cola'' |work=Encyclopædia Britannica |accessdate=2015-01-22}}</ref><ref name=Agroforestry>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Cola_nitida.pdf |title=''Cola nitida'' |work=Agroforestry database |publisher=World Agroforestry Centre |accessdate=2015-01-22}}</ref>
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| − | ==Distribution==
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| − | [[File:Cola_nitida_tree.JPG|thumb|left|Cultivated trees in Malaysia]]
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| − | ''Cola nitida'' is native to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria. It is a lowland tree but can be found up to altitudes of about {{convert|300|m}} in areas with deep, rich soils and evenly distributed rainfall. It has been cultivated in other parts of tropical Africa as well as India, Jamaica, Brazil,<ref name=Agroforestry/> and Hawaii.<ref>{{cite book|author=Karen Lisa Knee|title=Inputs of Nutrients and Pollutants to Hawaiian Coastal Waters from Submarine Groundwater Discharge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LQAdEvD0Hf4C&pg=PA131 |year=2010 |publisher=Stanford University |pages=131 }}</ref> It can grow where there is around {{convert|1200|mm}} of rain but does better where the annual rainfall exceeds {{convert|1700|mm}}, spread across eight months or more. Its temperature range is {{convert|23|to|28|°C}} and it grows on both light and heavy soils as long as they are deep.<ref name=Lim>{{cite book|author=Lim, T. K.|title=Edible Medicinal And Non Medicinal Plants: Volume 3, Fruits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=32rWbxUtjeMC&pg=PA175|year= 2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-94-007-2534-8|pages=175–182}}</ref>
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| − | ==Uses==
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| − | The nuts contain [[caffeine]], [[theobromine]] and [[tannin]]. Along with the closely related ''[[Cola acuminata]]'', which is also native to West Africa, the trees are cultivated commercially in tropical regions of the world and the nuts used in the manufacture of "cola" drinks.<ref name=Britannica/> Other ingredients of these drinks include spice oils, other aromatic compounds (sometimes including the leaves of the tree), [[caramel]] for colouring, sweeteners, [[phosphoric acid|phosphoric]] or [[citric acid]], and [[carbon dioxide]] to provide effervescence.<ref name=Britannica/>
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| − | The nut has traditionally been used as a stimulant when chewed. It is reported to lessen fatigue, prevent hunger pangs, increase mental activity and reduce the need for sleep. Parts of the plant are also used in rituals such as weddings, child naming ceremonies, induction of village chiefs, funerals and sacrificial ceremonies. The leaves, twigs, bark, flowers and nuts are also used in [[traditional medicine]]. ''Cola nitida'' is closely related to ''[[Theobroma cacao]]'', the cocoa tree, and the nuts have been used as a main ingredient for [[chocolate]] with a high melting point.<ref name=Lim/>
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| − | The nut is used in dyeing and water purification. The timber has a use in building work, boat construction, furniture and joinery, musical instruments, utensils and carving. It is also useful as firewood. The pods have been used to make fertiliser and soap, and they can be used as a substitute for up to 60% of the [[maize]] in poultry feed.<ref name=Lim/>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | {{Reflist|30em}}
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| − | {{Taxonbar|from=Q1185081}}
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| − | [[Category:Cola (plant)|nitida]]
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| − | [[Category:Flora of West Tropical Africa]]
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