Cola acuminata
| Cola acuminata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Cola |
| Species: | C. acuminata |
| Binomial name | |
| Cola acuminata Schott & Endl. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Sterculia acuminata | |
Cola acuminata belongs to the family Malvaceae and its fruits are harvested from the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fruits are rough, mottled and up to 8 inches long and contain large, flat and bright red coloured seeds, commonly known as Kola nuts.
The fruits contain about 2% catechine-caffeine (colanine), which is believed to have a greater level of alkaloids (caffeine), thereby increasing the stimulatory effect. They are roasted, pounded or chewed and can also be added to drinks such as tea or milk or cereal such as porridge [9]. In West Africa this product is sold as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, although evidence for its effectiveness is limited.
Cola acuminata is a species in the genus Cola.
Cola acuminata