Description
Bitter kola or Garcinia kola is a plant that originated in Africa with a plethora of uses.
Garcinia kola is a species of flowering plant in the Clusiaceae or Guttiferae family. It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Wikipedia.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Garcinia kola |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 39 to 66 ft |
| Flower Colour | cream |
| Bloom Time | 2 weeks |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Start with pruning shears for smaller growth. Use loppers, which look like giant, long-handle shears, for growth that is more than half an inch thick. A small pruning saw is handy, as it cuts on both the push and the pull.
Bitter kola care
Dig a hole 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulbs are high and set the bulb in the hole pointy side up. Fill the hole with soil and tamp gently.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 21.40C |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Bitter kola special feature
The bitter kola is a good source of Quinone, which is known for its anti-malaria properties.
Bitter kola uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from coughs to fever
Culinary Use:
- Kola nuts sold in the market or on roadside for consumption