Monkey kola (red), Bush cola
Cola lateritia

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25-50 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The trunk is straight for about 30 m and 1-2 m wide at the base. The fruit are red.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Gabon, Guinea, Guinée, Liberia, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten. The seed is chewed. The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

The fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

In Central African Republic flowers have been recorded January to March.

Its other names

Local names

Amoreira, Toko

Synonyms

Bichea lateritia (K. Schum.) Kuntze; Bichia rhodoxantha (K. Schum.) Kuntze; Cola rhodoxantha K. Schum.; Cola sereti De Wild.;