Erythroxylum areolatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of Mexico. It can be found throughout the Northeast, Gulf, Southwest, and Southeast portions of the country. Beyond the Mexican borders, its range extends southward into Central America. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the territory of Belize. Therefore, its habitat spans a significant stretch of the tropical landscape from Mexico to Central America.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum areolatum is characterized by its adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients within its native habitat, spanning a broad elevational range from 0 m to 1000 m AMSL. This distribution suggests that the species is capable of thriving in both lowland tropical environments and slightly higher montane zones, occupying varied ecological niches. By inhabiting these specific elevational strata, the plant interacts with a wide spectrum of microclimates, moisture levels, and soil compositions, allowing it to persist across different topographic landscapes within its geographical range.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erythroxylum areolatum is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a perennial species, it establishes a long-term presence in its ecological niche, undergoing repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases over many years. This sustained life cycle allows the plant to accumulate biomass and develop complex structural systems that contribute to its survival and ability to reproduce across different climatic intervals.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum areolatum is characterized by a versatile growth habit that can manifest as a tree or a shrub, depending on environmental conditions and developmental stages. It exhibits a woody structure, providing significant structural integrity to the plant. In terms of its climbing mechanisms, the species demonstrates a self-supporting nature, functioning as a liana, vine, or self-supporting climber through both obligatory and facultative tendencies. Furthermore, the plant is strictly terrestrial rather than epiphytic, maintaining its life cycle within the soil substrate rather than growing upon other vegetation.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum areolatum is characterized by its reliance on a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many woody shrubs within the Erythroxylaceae family. In this process, carbon dioxide is initially fixed by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to form a three-carbon compound, which dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and carbon assimilation rates. This C3 mechanism implies that the plant undergoes photorespiration under conditions of high temperature or limited water availability, as RuBisCO may bind with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide. The physiological efficiency of its carbon fixation is closely linked to its stomatal conductance and the internal leaf anatomy, which regulates the gas exchange necessary to support its metabolic demands and secondary metabolite production.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum areolatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cinnamoylcocaine, beta-Cocaine, cocaine.

Cinnamoylcocaine

1. Dr. Duke

beta-Cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Erythroxylum areolatum 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