Laurel-leaved kola
Cola laurifolia
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A medium sized tree. It grows 30 m tall. The brnaches are low and arch over. They can develop roots. The trunk can be 80 cm across. The young plant parts have rusty coloured hairs. The leaves are alternate and near the ends of twigs. The leaf stalk is 2-8 cm long. The leaves are 5-25 cm long by 3-13 cm wide. The flowers are in groups and densely hairy. They are unisexual and brown. The fruit have 4-5 follicles. These re 5 cm long and brown or red. They have 4-5 seeds. The seeds are 2 cm long and 1 cm wide. They are covered by a yellow layer.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in forest and moist savanna along river banks.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa
How it is used for food
It is a commonly used fruit in West Africa.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Komonbelo