Erythroxylum amazonicum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several tropical regions. In Central America, its presence is recorded within the borders of Panamá. Its range extends into the Caribbean, specifically documented in Trinidad-Tobago. Furthermore, it is found throughout various parts of Northern South America. This includes specific locations such as French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum amazonicum is characterized by its presence in the Floresta de Terra Firme, where it thrives within these stable, non-flooded forest ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across varying altitudes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum amazonicum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit obligatory or facultative climbing behaviors. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, showing no aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, whether as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic qualities, functioning instead as a free-living terrestrial plant. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum amazonicum is fundamentally characterized by its carbon assimilation strategy, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this metabolic process, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide is mediated by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), which attaches CO2 to a five-carbon sugar, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP), to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). This direct fixation occurs within the mesophyll cells without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 plants or the temporal separation of gas exchange seen in CAM species. Consequently, the plant's energy production and biomass accumulation are heavily dependent on the efficiency of its stomatal conductance and the management of photorespiration, particularly in the humid, often shaded environments of its native tropical habitats.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum amazonicum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TROPACOCAINE, cocaine.

TROPACOCAINE

1. Dr. Duke

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Erythroxylum amazonicum has 26 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anesthetic, Anorexic, Antiarrhythmic, Antibacterial, Antiepistactic.

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antiepistactic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Arterioconstrictor

1. Dr. Duke

CNS-Stimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Cardiotonic

1. Dr. Duke

Convulsant

1. Dr. Duke