Cola is a genus of
trees native to the tropical
rainforests of
Africa, classified in the family
Malvaceae, subfamily
Sterculioideae (or treated in the separate family
Sterculiaceae). Species in this genus are sometimes referred to as
Kola tree or
Kola nut for the
caffeine-containing fruit produced by the trees that is often used as a flavoring ingredient in beverages. The genus is related to the
South American genus
Theobroma, or cocoa. They are
evergreen trees, growing up to 20 m tall (about 60 feet), with glossy ovoid
leaves up to 30 cm long and star shaped fruit.