Cola family
Description
A family of shrubs and trees and some climbers and herbs, occurring mainly in the tropics and subtropics (Sterculiaceae 1).
The alternate leaves are simple or palmately compound, often with stellate hairs and with stipules. The flowers are regular (Sterculiaceae 2), borne in inflorescences or cauliflorous, usually with 5 sepals and petals, 10 or more stamens in two whorls, the outer one sometimes reduced, and a superior ovary. The fruit is dry, often dehiscent, with fleshy seeds.
There are about 60 genera.
Use
The family yields cocoa and kola nuts.
Described species
Cola nitida, kola
Theobroma cacao, cocoa