Our future fruiters
Cola_Acuminata
Cola acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott and Endl.
Meletem Bot. 33: 83 (1932)
Synonyms: Cola astrophara Warb. pro parte. Cola ledermannii Engl. And K. Krausse. Cola nitida Shott and Endl. Cola pseudoacuminata Engl. Sterculia acuminata P. Beauv.
Common names: False colatier, male Cola
Local names: Bafia: ribey. Bakoko: ibal. Bassa: libel. Boulou: abe, abeu. Douala: dibanga. Ewondo: abu. Fang: abel. Hausa: ajaourou. Pygmy Baka: banga, ligo, lugo. Sanaga: ebanou. Yambassa: ambénou
Origin, geographical distribution and ecology
Species native to tropical Africa, it is spontaneous in Central Africa, introduced in West Africa and probably in Central and South America. It is found everywhere in Cameroon forest area. It is sometimes planted in the western and central provinces.
Description
Tree up to 20 m tall and 50 cm in diameter; broad crown, dense foliage; straight bole, cylindrical, with ascending branches; bark gray, rough exfoliating in flat more or less square, pink slice exuding clear and sticky liquid.
Leaves alternate at the end of the branches, simple; oblong, obovate to elliptic, up to 34 x 11 cm, acuminate tops.
Inflorescences axillary, sometimes cauline, in panicles of cymes.
Male flowers or hermaphrodites; 5-7 sepals welded on the lower half; petals absent; androcée of 20 anthers in double crown; gynoecium with 5-7 carpels; each carpel containing 2 rows of eggs in hermaphroditic flowers only.
Fruits: 1-6 follicles glabrous, ovoid, rufous, well-marked, puffed, sutured.
Seeds: 1-12 per follicle, surrounded by a white gold red aril and a thin beige film; 3-6 fleshy cotyledons, angular, pink to red.
Variability and conservation of the resource
Over-harvesting fruit in some areas leads to genetic erosion and regression of the natural stand. A widely cultivated species, C. acuminata is a member of the family Sterculiaceae that contains 50 genera and 750 species. The genus Cola has about fifty species, of which the best known are C. ballayi, C. nitida, C. heterophylla, C. acuminata, C. pachycarpa, C. anomala. Given its economic interest, the populations in its distribution zone ensure its conservation through cultivation.
Agronomy
The plant reproduces by seeds. Growth is slow and early appearing late between 8 and 10 years of age (Danforth et al., 1997). It grows best in tropical climate, on well-drained soil and rich in organic matter. In the savanna region, it is tolerated less rich soils but growth is slower. The species grows well in full light, but the young plant requires shade during the first two years.
The seeds for the seed must come from mature fruits. This report is usually in dehiscence and drop of the follicle. In the nursery, the seeds must be sown respecting the polarity and turning the pole towards the substrate. Germination takes place in 1-3 months with a rate of 60-90%.
The kolatier is usually planted by direct sowing. The spacing is of the order of 10 meters between the plants and 10 meters between the lines. Plantations are usually in managed (cleared) forests. During the first years, such crops as maize, yams or cassava can be grown in combination and weeding should be regular. Growth is slow; thus, at 4 years, the trees have a height of 3 m. Flowering begins at 5 years old and at 7, you can see the first fruits. Optimal production takes place at 20 years old. The tree can bear fruit until the age of 70-100 years.
Cage and aerial layering and cuttings have been performed (Oladokun, 1986) and satisfactory results have been obtained, especially in Cola acuminata and C. nitida. This is an asset for farmers who wants to make an intensive production. The roots of kolatiers are attacked by pathogenic fungi Fomes lignosus Klotzsh. and F. noxius. The kolatier is also attacked by capsids and other parasites. However, the cola's biggest enemy is the larva of Balanogastris kolae (Desbr.), Also called "kola weevil", which lodges inside the harvested fruits and feeds on the reserves of cotyledonous lobes (Purseglove, 1968).
uses
The parts of the plant used are nuts and barks.
The cotyledons of Cola acuminata are chewed as a stimulant (Vivien and Faure, 1995). This variety of cola is also used in Cameroon in ritual ceremonies (Mbolo, 1998). Kola nuts are offered by the husband in certain ethnic groups of Cameroon, to the beautiful family during wedding ceremonies. The cotyledons on the ground are used among the Bassa to know a "hidden truth". The Cola acuminata also includes various traditional uses, especially in native medicine, where leaves, fruits, roots and bark are used as a tonic or against dysentery, diarrhea, etc. Cola acuminata is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a major source of alkaloids (Opeke, 1982, cited by Plenderleith, undated). In Europe and North America, Cola acuminata nuts are used in the manufacture of coca cola.
Meletem Bot. 33: 83 (1932)
Synonyms: Cola astrophara Warb. pro parte. Cola ledermannii Engl. And K. Krausse. Cola nitida Shott and Endl. Cola pseudoacuminata Engl. Sterculia acuminata P. Beauv.
Common names: False colatier, male Cola
Local names: Bafia: ribey. Bakoko: ibal. Bassa: libel. Boulou: abe, abeu. Douala: dibanga. Ewondo: abu. Fang: abel. Hausa: ajaourou. Pygmy Baka: banga, ligo, lugo. Sanaga: ebanou. Yambassa: ambénou
Origin, geographical distribution and ecology
Species native to tropical Africa, it is spontaneous in Central Africa, introduced in West Africa and probably in Central and South America. It is found everywhere in Cameroon forest area. It is sometimes planted in the western and central provinces.
Description
Tree up to 20 m tall and 50 cm in diameter; broad crown, dense foliage; straight bole, cylindrical, with ascending branches; bark gray, rough exfoliating in flat more or less square, pink slice exuding clear and sticky liquid.
Leaves alternate at the end of the branches, simple; oblong, obovate to elliptic, up to 34 x 11 cm, acuminate tops.
Inflorescences axillary, sometimes cauline, in panicles of cymes.
Male flowers or hermaphrodites; 5-7 sepals welded on the lower half; petals absent; androcée of 20 anthers in double crown; gynoecium with 5-7 carpels; each carpel containing 2 rows of eggs in hermaphroditic flowers only.
Fruits: 1-6 follicles glabrous, ovoid, rufous, well-marked, puffed, sutured.
Seeds: 1-12 per follicle, surrounded by a white gold red aril and a thin beige film; 3-6 fleshy cotyledons, angular, pink to red.
Variability and conservation of the resource
Over-harvesting fruit in some areas leads to genetic erosion and regression of the natural stand. A widely cultivated species, C. acuminata is a member of the family Sterculiaceae that contains 50 genera and 750 species. The genus Cola has about fifty species, of which the best known are C. ballayi, C. nitida, C. heterophylla, C. acuminata, C. pachycarpa, C. anomala. Given its economic interest, the populations in its distribution zone ensure its conservation through cultivation.
Agronomy
The plant reproduces by seeds. Growth is slow and early appearing late between 8 and 10 years of age (Danforth et al., 1997). It grows best in tropical climate, on well-drained soil and rich in organic matter. In the savanna region, it is tolerated less rich soils but growth is slower. The species grows well in full light, but the young plant requires shade during the first two years.
The seeds for the seed must come from mature fruits. This report is usually in dehiscence and drop of the follicle. In the nursery, the seeds must be sown respecting the polarity and turning the pole towards the substrate. Germination takes place in 1-3 months with a rate of 60-90%.
The kolatier is usually planted by direct sowing. The spacing is of the order of 10 meters between the plants and 10 meters between the lines. Plantations are usually in managed (cleared) forests. During the first years, such crops as maize, yams or cassava can be grown in combination and weeding should be regular. Growth is slow; thus, at 4 years, the trees have a height of 3 m. Flowering begins at 5 years old and at 7, you can see the first fruits. Optimal production takes place at 20 years old. The tree can bear fruit until the age of 70-100 years.
Cage and aerial layering and cuttings have been performed (Oladokun, 1986) and satisfactory results have been obtained, especially in Cola acuminata and C. nitida. This is an asset for farmers who wants to make an intensive production. The roots of kolatiers are attacked by pathogenic fungi Fomes lignosus Klotzsh. and F. noxius. The kolatier is also attacked by capsids and other parasites. However, the cola's biggest enemy is the larva of Balanogastris kolae (Desbr.), Also called "kola weevil", which lodges inside the harvested fruits and feeds on the reserves of cotyledonous lobes (Purseglove, 1968).
uses
The parts of the plant used are nuts and barks.
The cotyledons of Cola acuminata are chewed as a stimulant (Vivien and Faure, 1995). This variety of cola is also used in Cameroon in ritual ceremonies (Mbolo, 1998). Kola nuts are offered by the husband in certain ethnic groups of Cameroon, to the beautiful family during wedding ceremonies. The cotyledons on the ground are used among the Bassa to know a "hidden truth". The Cola acuminata also includes various traditional uses, especially in native medicine, where leaves, fruits, roots and bark are used as a tonic or against dysentery, diarrhea, etc. Cola acuminata is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a major source of alkaloids (Opeke, 1982, cited by Plenderleith, undated). In Europe and North America, Cola acuminata nuts are used in the manufacture of coca cola.