Garcinia kola aka Garcinia
Taxonomy ID: 19987
Garcinia kola, commonly known as Bitter Kola or False Kola, is an evergreen tree native to the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. The species belongs to the Clusiaceae family (also known as Guttiferae) and is part of the Mangosteen genus Garcinia.
Physical Characteristics
This impressive tree can reach heights of up to 30 metres in its natural habitat, though cultivated specimens typically grow to 12-15 metres with a spread of around 10 metres. It develops a heavy, spreading crown and features a straight trunk covered with brown bark. The leaves are leathery and dark green, while the small flowers (1-2 cm across) are greenish-white to yellowish and appear in axillary or terminal clusters.
The fruits are about the size of an orange, with a reddish-yellow exterior containing orange-yellow to reddish pulp. Each fruit typically contains four seeds surrounded by the pulp. The wood has creamy white sapwood and yellow heartwood that darkens to brown with age; it is hard, close-grained, takes an excellent polish, and is notably termite-resistant.
Habitat and Distribution
Garcinia kola grows naturally as an understory tree in dense rainforests, particularly favouring wet situations including riverine and swamp environments at elevations up to 1,200 metres. Its native range extends from Sierra Leone through Nigeria and Cameroon, reaching into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The species is found across Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Islands, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
Cultural and Economic Significance
Known locally by names including Orogbo (Yoruba), Akara, and Agambo, this species holds tremendous cultural significance in West African societies. It has been used for centuries in traditional ceremonies and social gatherings, where the bitter seeds are chewed alongside true kola nuts. The tree is so valued that it is often cultivated around villages as a multipurpose crop, providing shade in cocoa plantations while yielding its prized seeds and useful wood.
Reproductive Biology
Garcinia kola is a dioecious species, meaning individual trees are either male or female, and both sexes must be present for fruit production. Interestingly, some individuals are capable of asexual reproduction, producing genetically identical seeds even without fertilization. Mature trees typically reach fruiting age after 7-15 years and can yield 5-10 kg of seeds annually.
Conservation Status
The species is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss from deforestation and unsustainable harvesting practices. Male trees are particularly at risk as they are often cut down (being considered less valuable since they don't bear fruit) or have their bark stripped for palm wine production, which threatens the genetic diversity and reproductive success of wild populations.
Common names
Garcinia, Bitter Kola, False KolaMore information about Garcinia
How difficult is Garcinia kola to grow?
Garcinia kola is a challenging species to cultivate, requiring expert-level care. It demands specific tropical conditions including temperatures between 21-31°C, high humidity around 75%, and annual rainfall of 1,000-3,000mm. Seed germination is notoriously difficult due to dormancy issues, and trees take 7-15 years to reach fruiting maturity. As a dioecious species, both male and female trees must be grown together for fruit production.
How often should I water Garcinia kola?
Garcinia kola requires consistently moist to wet conditions, reflecting its natural habitat in riverine and swamp environments of tropical rainforests. Young seedlings need frequent watering and should never be allowed to dry out. Established trees thrive with regular water equivalent to 1,000-3,000mm annual rainfall. Poor drainage or drought stress can significantly harm the tree's development.
What soil does Garcinia kola need?
Garcinia kola is adaptable to various soil types including light (sandy), medium (loamy), and heavy (clay) soils. The species tolerates a wide pH range from mildly acidic through neutral to mildly alkaline. Good drainage is beneficial, though the tree naturally grows in wet conditions. In cultivation, rich, moisture-retentive soils that mimic its rainforest understory habitat produce the best results.
What humidity does Garcinia kola require?
As a tropical rainforest species, Garcinia kola requires high humidity levels around 75%. The tree naturally grows in the understory of dense forests in West and Central Africa where atmospheric moisture is consistently high. In cultivation outside the tropics, maintaining adequate humidity through misting, grouping with other plants, or greenhouse cultivation is essential for healthy growth.
How should I fertilize Garcinia kola?
Garcinia kola has relatively low fertilization requirements due to its adaptation to the nutrient-cycling environment of tropical rainforests. Applications of balanced NPK fertilizers can boost early growth, particularly in degraded or poor soils. Organic matter and mulching around the base help maintain soil moisture and gradually release nutrients. Avoid over-fertilization, which can damage the roots.
How do I propagate Garcinia kola?
Garcinia kola can be propagated by seeds or vegetative cuttings, though both methods present challenges. Seeds have short viability and complex dormancy requiring treatment—soaking in 70% ethanol for 1-2 hours can boost germination above 90%. A traditional method involves placing seeds in a split banana stem for 56 days to break dormancy. Vegetative propagation using softwood cuttings in non-mist poly-propagators achieves 70-85% rooting success. Grafting has shown 85% success rates with modified cleft grafting.
How big does Garcinia kola grow?
Garcinia kola is a substantial tree that can reach up to 30 metres tall in its natural rainforest habitat, though cultivated specimens typically grow to 12-15 metres with a spread of around 10 metres. The tree has a moderate growth rate and develops a heavy, spreading crown. Fruiting maturity is reached after 7-15 years, with mature trees capable of producing 5-10 kg of seeds annually.
Can Garcinia kola be grown outdoors?
Garcinia kola can only be grown outdoors in tropical and subtropical climates corresponding to USDA zones 10-12 (UK zone 10). The tree requires frost-free conditions with temperatures between 21-31°C year-round. It thrives at elevations up to 750-1,200 metres in its native range. Outside the tropics, greenhouse cultivation is necessary to provide the required warmth, humidity, and protection from cold.
What temperature does Garcinia kola need?
Garcinia kola thrives in tropical conditions with mean annual temperatures ranging from 21°C to 31°C. The species cannot tolerate frost or cold temperatures and is rated for USDA zones 10-12 only. Consistent warmth is essential for healthy growth, and the tree should be protected from any temperatures approaching freezing. In temperate climates, heated greenhouse cultivation is required.
Does Garcinia kola flower?
Garcinia kola produces small flowers measuring 1-2 cm across, greenish-white to yellowish in colour, borne in axillary or terminal clusters. As a dioecious species, individual trees produce either male or female flowers. Male flowers contain numerous stamens, while female flowers develop into the characteristic orange-sized fruits. Both male and female trees must be present for pollination and fruit set.
How is Garcinia kola pollinated?
Garcinia kola is a dioecious species requiring cross-pollination between male and female trees for fruit production. Pollination is carried out by insects, particularly Trigona bees in its native habitat. Nectar is concentrated on the stigma, which attracts pollinators and helps capture and hydrate pollen. Some individual trees are capable of producing viable seeds through asexual reproduction without fertilization.
What pests and diseases affect Garcinia kola?
Garcinia kola is generally resistant to pests, likely due to the bitter compounds in its tissues. Termites may occasionally damage roots, particularly in young plants, requiring basic monitoring and cultural controls like mulching. The species shows good resistance to common diseases due to its natural antimicrobial compounds. Overall, pest and disease pressure is minimal compared to many other tropical fruit trees.
Is Garcinia kola edible?
Yes, Garcinia kola is edible with an edibility rating of 3 out of 5. The seeds (known as bitter kola or false kola) are the primary edible part, consumed raw with a bitter, astringent, aromatic flavour somewhat resembling raw coffee beans, followed by slight sweetness. They are traditionally chewed alongside true kola nuts. The fruits are also edible but extremely sour. The seeds have been consumed for centuries as a masticatory and in social and ceremonial contexts.
What are the medicinal uses of Garcinia kola?
Garcinia kola has extensive traditional medicinal uses with a rating of 4 out of 5. Nearly every plant part is used in African folk medicine to treat conditions including coughs, bronchitis, throat infections, liver diseases, malaria, fever, gastric disorders, and diabetes. The seeds contain kolaviron, a biflavonoid complex with demonstrated hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties in preclinical studies. However, no human clinical trials have yet confirmed these effects.
What other uses does Garcinia kola have?
Beyond food and medicine, Garcinia kola has numerous practical applications rated 3 out of 5. The termite-resistant wood is valued for furniture and particularly for chew sticks (traditional dental hygiene). The bark provides tanning material and produces a water-resistant resin historically used to waterproof gunpowder in flintlocks. The tree serves as shade in cocoa plantations (agroforestry), bitter leaves deter fleas, and seed extracts are used in commercial cosmetics as skin conditioners.
Why is my Garcinia kola growing slowly?
Garcinia kola has a naturally moderate growth rate and takes 7-15 years to reach fruiting maturity, so apparent slow growth may be normal. However, poor growth can result from inadequate conditions: insufficient humidity (needs ~75%), inadequate water (requires consistently moist soil), wrong temperature (needs 21-31°C), or excessive sun exposure on young plants which require shade. Ensure the tree has proper tropical conditions with filtered light when young.
