Cola scheffleri
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 8-20 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The crown is pyramid shape. The bark has small cracks. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf stalk is 4-10 cm long. The leaves are 8-23 cm long by 4-13 cm wide. They are oblong and heart shaped at the base. They taper to the tip. The flowers are as separate sexes in dense clusters on old wood. The soft pink sepals form softly hairy cups. These are 2 cm across. The fruit are as 2 orange brown leathery capsules. These are 6 cm long. There are a few large seeds.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland forests. It is often along rivers and in humus rich soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Tanzania
How it is used for food
The pulp of the fruit is sweet and is eaten raw. The seeds contain caffeine and are chewed as a stimulant.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Kavi, Mlungu, Mombwe, Msamaka, Msasami