Home > Herbs > Erythroxylum Coca Var Coca

Bolivian coca

Erythroxylum coca var. coca · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (8 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Bolivian coca, scientifically known as Erythroxylum coca var. coca, is a sacred plant deeply rooted in Andean culture. Renowned for its stimulant properties, the leaves are traditionally chewed to alleviate altitude sickness and fatigue. Beyond its cultural significance, it remains a subject of intense pharmacological and botanical study worldwide.

Family
Erythroxylaceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Leaf
Common names
Bolivian Coca · Huanuco Coca · 2 more
Scientific synonyms
Erythroxylum Bolivianum · Erythroxylum Chilpei

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Erythroxylum coca var. coca

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • hayo
  • árbol de coca

German:

  • Kokastrauch

French:

  • cocaïer

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Erythroxylaceae and the genus Erythroxylum. Specifically, the variety is identified as Erythroxylum coca var. coca.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Malpighiales
Family Erythroxylaceae
Genus Erythroxylum

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within Guinea-Bissau. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species is also documented in Tanzania. Finally, its range reaches into Eastern Asia, specifically within the Kazan-retto region.

Region Area
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is.
East Tropical Africa Tanzania
Eastern Asia Kazan-retto
Indian Subcontinent Assam
Northwestern Pacific Caroline Is.
Western South America Bolivia
Western South America Colombia
Western South America Ecuador

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Erythroxylum coca var. coca has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Plant parts reported in Erythroxylum coca var. coca
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Leaf 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Leaf

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Erythroxylum coca var. coca has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cocaine, Cuscohygrine, Hygrine, TROPACOCAINE, cis-Cinnamoylcocaine.

Chemicals reported in Erythroxylum coca var. coca
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
cocaine 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cuscohygrine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hygrine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
TROPACOCAINE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
cis-Cinnamoylcocaine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
trans-cinnamoylcocaine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

cocaine

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. Journal of chromatography. A

Cuscohygrine

  1. Journal of chromatography. A

Hygrine

  1. Journal of chromatography. A

TROPACOCAINE

  1. Journal of chromatography. A

cis-Cinnamoylcocaine

  1. Journal of chromatography. A

trans-cinnamoylcocaine

  1. Journal of chromatography. A

Preparations

Erythroxylum coca var. coca has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chew the sweeter coca leaves.

Preparations reported for Erythroxylum coca var. coca
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Chew the sweeter coca leaves 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Chew the sweeter coca leaves

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology