Erythroxylum coca
Coca
Erythroxylum coca, commonly known as the coca plant, holds profound significance in Andean cultures. Historically utilized for ritualistic and medicinal purposes, its leaves provide sustained energy and alleviate altitude sickness. While its alkaloid content requires careful regulation, the plant remains a vital element of traditional South American ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Erythroxylum coca
- Family: Erythroxylaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized within the order Malpighiales and the family Erythroxylaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Erythroxylum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Erythroxylaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Erythroxylum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Erythroxylum coca, is recognized by various names across different linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the specific regional variants for Hong Kong (zh-hk), Mainland China (zh-cn), and Singapore (zh-sg), it is commonly referred to as 古柯.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 古柯 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 古柯 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 古柯 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 古柯 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 古柯 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 古柯 | Wikidata |
| eu | Koka | Wikidata |
| pl | Krasnodrzew pospolity | Wikidata |
| qu | Kuka | Wikidata |
| gd | Coca | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple continents. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in Guinea-Bissau, while it also inhabits the West-Central Tropical Africa regions of Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Tanzania. Additionally, its range extends into Eastern Asia, specifically within the Kazan-retto region. These varied locations demonstrate the wide environmental adaptability of the species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Kazan-retto | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Northwestern Pacific | Caroline Is. | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Erythroxylum coca, is primarily valued for the chemical properties found within its foliage. The most significant part of the species is the coca leaf, which has been used for centuries in traditional Andean medicine to alleviate fatigue and altitude sickness. Specifically, the medicinal alkaloids are concentrated in the green leaves of the shrub. When processed or chewed, these coca leaves serve as a natural stimulant and anesthetic. Whether referred to in a botanical context or a cultural one, the use of Coca leaves remains a central element of indigenous healing practices in South America.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| coca leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coca leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coca leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erythroxylum coca has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 66 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cocaine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, Cocaine, coca.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 66
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cocaine | 22 | ★★★★★ |
| benzoylecgonine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ecgonine methyl ester | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cocaine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coca | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trans-cinnamoylcocaine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,3-Dehydrococaine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,4-D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-carbomethoxy-3-tropinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Erythroxylum coca has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Stimulant, Insecticide.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stimulant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insecticide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Erythroxylum coca has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidepressant, motion sickness, asthma, cachexia, coca.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidepressant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| motion sickness | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cachexia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cocaine addiction | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cocaine dependence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| local anesthetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |