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

Cola rostrata is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, commonly known as monkey cola or cockroach cola. It is a tree found in the tropical rainforests of Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon.[1]

Description

Cola rostrata is a tree growing to a height of about 50 ft (15 m) with a broad crown. The leaves are palmately compound, with five to seven leaflets with elongated tips. The insides of the flowers are creamy yellow.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

Cola rostrata is native to southeastern Nigeria, southern Cameroon and Gabon. It is a tropical lowland rainforest tree.[1]

Uses

Cola rostrata has sweet edible fruits, enjoyed by humans and also appreciated by monkeys, baboons and other primates. The edible part is the aril, the white fleshy mesocarp; the large, rough, brown, flattened seeds are not edible, unlike the seeds of the closely related cola nut (Cola nitida). The plant is not known to have traditional uses as a herbal remedy, but many members of the genus Cola do have pharmacological properties, and the plant was screened for potential drugs. An extract of the root bark was found to contain flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids but no alkaloids. Triterpenoids are complex oils that may have interesting pharmacological activity. Saponins are haemolytic and tend to be toxic, but toxicological tests on the extract did not show toxicity when fed to mice.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Odion, Emmanuel Eimiomodebhek; Poh, Ching Fidelis; Falodun, Abiodun; Adelusi, Sunday Adewale (2013). "Cola rostrata: Phytochemical and Toxicity Studies". Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management. 17 (4): 603–607. doi:10.4314/jasem.v17i4.19 (inactive 1 August 2023).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of August 2023 (link)
  2. ↑ "Cola rostrata K.Schum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Cola rostrata". Vascular plants of Korup National Park. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
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