Description

An evergreen tree to 30 m high, but usually to about 12–15m, of the dense rain-forest understorey, bole straight, unbuttressed, girth up to 1.80 m, spreading, heavy crown, often in wet situations, riverain and swamp, and up to 1200 m altitude, occurring naturally from Sierra Leone to S Nigeria and on into Zaïre and Angola, but distributed further by man and often found cultivated around villages. Plantation cultivation can be successfully carried out: three year old stump-planting under shade is recommended, but seed-at-stake is possible (21). The specific name kola is taken from the genus Cola Schott. & Endl. (Sterculiaceae) and that in turn is derived from Temne and other kindred languages for the true kola nut. G. kola is the source of the false kola.The sap-wood is creamy white. Heart-wood is yellow, darkening to brown at the centre, hard, close-grained, finishing smoothly and taking a good polish. It is durable and fairly resistant to termites (10, 11, 15, 20, 21). The wood has had unspecified use in Nigeria (11). Its principal application is for chew-sticks. In Liberia they are said to whiten the teeth (10). In Ghana it is the smaller trees which tend to be felled for this purpose and the wood is cut and split into pencil-sized pieces (8, 21).It is bundles of these which are a common market commodity throughout the Region, for the chew-sticks of this species are considered superior to any other (13). The roots are also used, sometimes in preference (Sierra Leone: 20; Ghana: 13; Nigeria: 11, 28), and in the Ibadan area of S Nigeria they are thought to prevent dental caries. Tests have, however, shown no anti-biotic activity (17). In Sierra Leone the root is chewed to clean the mouth (20). In Igbo (Nigeria) pharmacology extracts of stems, roots and seeds have shown strong anti-hepatotoxic and hepatotropic activity. Petroleum ether and acetone extracts were found to be markedly anti-microbial (23).The bark contains an abundant sticky resinous gum. It has water-proofing property. Certain people in W Cameroons use it to protect powder in the priming pans of flinklock guns from rain. It is incendiary and twigs burn brightly and can be used as tapers (11). It is used on skin-infections in Liberia (9, 10), and Congo (Brazzaville) (5). The powdered bark is applied in Nigeria to malignant tumours, cancers, etc., and the gum is taken internally for gonorrhoea, and externally to seal new wounds (4). In Congo a bark-decoction is taken for female sterility and to ease child-birth, the intake being daily till conception is certain and then at half quantity throughout the term (5). The bark is added to that of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Rubiaceae), a tisane of which has a strong reputation as a diuretic, urinary decongestant and for chronic urethral discharge (5). The bark is also thought to be galactogenic (5), whilst in Ghana the bark is used with Piper guineense (Piperaceae) and sap from a plantain stalk (Musaceae) to embrocate the breast for mastitis (29). In Ivory Coast a decoction of the bark is taken to induce the expulsion of a dead foetus, and seed and bark are taken to treat stomach-pains (7). Bark and leaves are used in Congo for pulmonary and gastro-intestinal troubles (5). Root and bark are administered in Sierra Leone as a tonic to men ‘to make their organs work well’ (12) and in that country too bark is added to palm-wine to improve its potency (20, 22). Bark is administered in Ivory Coast as an aphrodisiac (7). In S Nigeria a cold-water extract of root-bark with salt administered to cases of ukwala and agbo-or, identified as bronchial asthma or cough, and vomiting, is said to promote improvement (14, 27). The bark is used in tanning in Ghana (13), and during the 1939–45 War thousands of tons were exported as a tanning material (24). Tannins, a reducing sugar and traces of an alkaloid have been detected in the bark; flavonins are also present (2, 6, 13, 14), the whole being extremely bitter, resinous and astringent.The leaves have a bitter taste (28). They are used in Congo as a deterrant to fleas (5). A leaf-infusion is purgative (4, 13).The fruits are edible, orange-sized, and contain a yellow pulp surrounding four seeds. The fruits are eaten in Nigeria as a cure for general aches in the head, back, etc., and as a vermifuge (4). Igbo medicine-men prescribe the fruit for arthritic conditions (26). Wild animals go for them and the elephant is particularly partial, coming from afar to trees in season (21). The seeds are an important article of commerce being traded well beyond the distribution area of the tree. They are the false kola nut, or the bitter kola, as distinct from the true kola which is from Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott. & Endl. and C. acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott. & Endl. (Sterculiaceae). The true kola nut has separate cotyledons. The false kola nut can be distinguished in not so separating. They are used as a masticatory, having a bitter, astringent and resinous taste, somewhat resembling that of the raw coffee bean. This is followed by a slight sweetness (or lingering pepperiness, 1). The false kola nut is relished as an adjuvant rather than a substitute for the true kola, increasing the user’s enjoyment of the latter and allowing consumption of larger quantities without indisposition. Similarly they enhance the flavour of local liquor. The residue after chewing is white. They are eaten raw and not in prepared food (11). They have medicinal attributes. Mastication will relieve coughs, hoarseness, and bronchial and throat troubles (11, 18). They are taken dry as a remedy for dysentery (4). They are said to provide an antidote against Strophanthus poisoning (11, 21). They are vermifugal (19). In Senegal (16), on Mt. Nimba, Liberia (1), in Ivory Coast (3) and in Congo (5) they are considered aphrodisiac. In Liberia the seeds are chopped up and steeped in water or better still in beer, while in Congo they enter into many medico-magical remedies taken with palm-wine ‘to cleanse the stomach and to give strength in love’ (5). In Nigeria the simple act of mastication of the seeds is held to be as effective (4).The active principle, or principles, in the nut remain enigmatic. Caffein, which is present in the true kola, is absent. A trace of alkaloid has been reported in Nigerian materials (2), but absent in other samples (16, 18). Tannins are present which may contain the anti-bacterials morellin and guttiferin (25). The seeds have been shown to have four fluorescent substances of an undetermined nature (7, 16). Activity may also lie in resins which are as yet unidentified.

Description

An evergreen tree to 30 m high, but usually to about 12–15m, of the dense rain-forest understorey, bole straight, unbuttressed, girth up to 1.80 m, spreading, heavy crown, often in wet situations, riverain and swamp, and up to 1200 m altitude, occurring naturally from Sierra Leone to S Nigeria and on into Zaïre and Angola, but distributed further by man and often found cultivated around villages. Plantation cultivation can be successfully carried out: three year old stump-planting under shade is recommended, but seed-at-stake is possible (21). The specific name kola is taken from the genus Cola Schott. & Endl. (Sterculiaceae) and that in turn is derived from Temne and other kindred languages for the true kola nut. G. kola is the source of the false kola.The sap-wood is creamy white. Heart-wood is yellow, darkening to brown at the centre, hard, close-grained, finishing smoothly and taking a good polish. It is durable and fairly resistant to termites (10, 11, 15, 20, 21). The wood has had unspecified use in Nigeria (11). Its principal application is for chew-sticks. In Liberia they are said to whiten the teeth (10). In Ghana it is the smaller trees which tend to be felled for this purpose and the wood is cut and split into pencil-sized pieces (8, 21).It is bundles of these which are a common market commodity throughout the Region, for the chew-sticks of this species are considered superior to any other (13). The roots are also used, sometimes in preference (Sierra Leone: 20; Ghana: 13; Nigeria: 11, 28), and in the Ibadan area of S Nigeria they are thought to prevent dental caries. Tests have, however, shown no anti-biotic activity (17). In Sierra Leone the root is chewed to clean the mouth (20). In Igbo (Nigeria) pharmacology extracts of stems, roots and seeds have shown strong anti-hepatotoxic and hepatotropic activity. Petroleum ether and acetone extracts were found to be markedly anti-microbial (23).The bark contains an abundant sticky resinous gum. It has water-proofing property. Certain people in W Cameroons use it to protect powder in the priming pans of flinklock guns from rain. It is incendiary and twigs burn brightly and can be used as tapers (11). It is used on skin-infections in Liberia (9, 10), and Congo (Brazzaville) (5). The powdered bark is applied in Nigeria to malignant tumours, cancers, etc., and the gum is taken internally for gonorrhoea, and externally to seal new wounds (4). In Congo a bark-decoction is taken for female sterility and to ease child-birth, the intake being daily till conception is certain and then at half quantity throughout the term (5). The bark is added to that of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Rubiaceae), a tisane of which has a strong reputation as a diuretic, urinary decongestant and for chronic urethral discharge (5). The bark is also thought to be galactogenic (5), whilst in Ghana the bark is used with Piper guineense (Piperaceae) and sap from a plantain stalk (Musaceae) to embrocate the breast for mastitis (29). In Ivory Coast a decoction of the bark is taken to induce the expulsion of a dead foetus, and seed and bark are taken to treat stomach-pains (7). Bark and leaves are used in Congo for pulmonary and gastro-intestinal troubles (5). Root and bark are administered in Sierra Leone as a tonic to men ‘to make their organs work well’ (12) and in that country too bark is added to palm-wine to improve its potency (20, 22). Bark is administered in Ivory Coast as an aphrodisiac (7). In S Nigeria a cold-water extract of root-bark with salt administered to cases of ukwala and agbo-or, identified as bronchial asthma or cough, and vomiting, is said to promote improvement (14, 27). The bark is used in tanning in Ghana (13), and during the 1939–45 War thousands of tons were exported as a tanning material (24). Tannins, a reducing sugar and traces of an alkaloid have been detected in the bark; flavonins are also present (2, 6, 13, 14), the whole being extremely bitter, resinous and astringent.The leaves have a bitter taste (28). They are used in Congo as a deterrant to fleas (5). A leaf-infusion is purgative (4, 13).The fruits are edible, orange-sized, and contain a yellow pulp surrounding four seeds. The fruits are eaten in Nigeria as a cure for general aches in the head, back, etc., and as a vermifuge (4). Igbo medicine-men prescribe the fruit for arthritic conditions (26). Wild animals go for them and the elephant is particularly partial, coming from afar to trees in season (21). The seeds are an important article of commerce being traded well beyond the distribution area of the tree. They are the false kola nut, or the bitter kola, as distinct from the true kola which is from Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott. & Endl. and C. acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott. & Endl. (Sterculiaceae). The true kola nut has separate cotyledons. The false kola nut can be distinguished in not so separating. They are used as a masticatory, having a bitter, astringent and resinous taste, somewhat resembling that of the raw coffee bean. This is followed by a slight sweetness (or lingering pepperiness, 1). The false kola nut is relished as an adjuvant rather than a substitute for the true kola, increasing the user’s enjoyment of the latter and allowing consumption of larger quantities without indisposition. Similarly they enhance the flavour of local liquor. The residue after chewing is white. They are eaten raw and not in prepared food (11). They have medicinal attributes. Mastication will relieve coughs, hoarseness, and bronchial and throat troubles (11, 18). They are taken dry as a remedy for dysentery (4). They are said to provide an antidote against Strophanthus poisoning (11, 21). They are vermifugal (19). In Senegal (16), on Mt. Nimba, Liberia (1), in Ivory Coast (3) and in Congo (5) they are considered aphrodisiac. In Liberia the seeds are chopped up and steeped in water or better still in beer, while in Congo they enter into many medico-magical remedies taken with palm-wine ‘to cleanse the stomach and to give strength in love’ (5). In Nigeria the simple act of mastication of the seeds is held to be as effective (4).The active principle, or principles, in the nut remain enigmatic. Caffein, which is present in the true kola, is absent. A trace of alkaloid has been reported in Nigerian materials (2), but absent in other samples (16, 18). Tannins are present which may contain the anti-bacterials morellin and guttiferin (25). The seeds have been shown to have four fluorescent substances of an undetermined nature (7, 16). Activity may also lie in resins which are as yet unidentified.