Cola scheffleri K.Schum.

An evergreen tree. It grows 8-20 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The crown is pyramid shape. The bark has small cracks. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf stalk is 4-10 cm long. The leaves are 8-23 cm long by 4-13 cm wide. They are oblong and heart shaped at the base. They taper to the tip. The flowers are as separate sexes in dense clusters on old wood. The soft pink sepals form softly hairy cups. These are 2 cm across. The fruit are as 2 orange brown leathery capsules. These are 6 cm long. There are a few large seeds.

Ground-water forests, riverine and in evergreen montane rainforest. Prefers open areas in forests, usually associated with dense undergrowth and soils rich in humus.

The pulp of the fruit is sweet and is eaten raw. The seeds contain caffeine and are chewed as a stimulant.

Plants can be grown from seeds.