Garcinia cola

Garcinia kola, commonly known as bitter kola, is a flowering plant native to West and Central Africa, prized for its seeds known as bitter kola nuts. Traditionally used in African folk medicine, the seeds are believed to possess antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and purgative properties, and have been used to treat ailments such as coughs, throat infections, and bronchitis. The seeds have a distinctive bitter taste and are often consumed for their stimulating effects. Despite its traditional significance, cultivation of the plant remains limited due to difficulties in seed germination, though research is ongoing to improve propagation methods. Although widely consumed, scientific studies are still exploring its full medicinal potential, making it both a culturally and scientifically significant plant in the region.

If you like Garcinia cola, you might also like Garcinia hombroniana "Seashore Mangosteen" or Garcinia acuminata