coca

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

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. It is categorized within the order Malpighiales and the family Erythroxylaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Erythroxylum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum coca is strictly defined by specific altitudinal parameters within its native tropical habitats. This species thrives within a precise elevational range, beginning at a minimum altitude of 120 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 400 m AMSL, a characteristic that dictates the specific climatic and environmental conditions it requires to flourish.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

120 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erythroxylum coca is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a long-lived shrub or small tree, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, rather than completing its life cycle within a single season. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a robust root system and a woody structure that can withstand seasonal variations, provided the environmental conditions remain conducive to its survival. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes periodic flowering and fruiting cycles, contributing to the ongoing regeneration of its population through seed dispersal.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum coca is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, it typically reaches an average plant height of approximately 1.5 m. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine, and it does not exhibit any epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum coca is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and adaptive strategies for survival in tropical and subtropical environments. As a perennial shrub, its physiological activity is heavily influenced by light intensity and moisture availability, driving efficient photosynthetic pathways to support rapid growth in nutrient-competitive habitats. A critical aspect of its nutrient acquisition profile is its relationship with soil chemistry; specifically, regarding nitrogen management, it is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer, trait_value: no). Unlike many other tropical shrubs that form symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen, Erythroxylum coca relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. This reliance necessitates nutrient-rich substrates to sustain its high metabolic demands, particularly for the biosynthesis of its complex secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids. Furthermore, the plant exhibits robust transpiration mechanisms and osmotic regulation to manage water potential, ensuring cellular stability during fluctuations in humidity and temperature.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythroxylum coca is a biological process characterized by specific seed morphology and standardized physical dimensions. The reproductive success of the species relies on the production of seeds that exhibit remarkable consistency in their physical properties. Based on empirical data, the seed mass of this plant is highly uniform, with a recorded mean seed mass of 0.1181 g. This consistency is reflected in the extreme narrowness of its size distribution, as both the maximum and minimum observed seed mass values are also 0.1181 g. Such precise uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly regulated developmental process during the maturation of the fruit, ensuring that each seed possesses a standardized amount of nutrient reserves for potential germination.

Seed mass mean:

0.1181 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythroxylum coca has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Bulletin on narcotics
4. Food and nutrition bulletin

Chemicals

Erythroxylum coca has 103 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cocaine, benzoylecgonine, Ecgonine methyl ester, Benzoyltropine, CALCIUM.

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bulletin on narcotics
3. Journal of analytical toxicology
4. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
5. NIDA research monograph

benzoylecgonine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of analytical toxicology
4. Forensic science international

Ecgonine methyl ester

1. Journal of analytical toxicology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Forensic science international

Benzoyltropine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food and nutrition bulletin

Coca

1. American journal of physical anthropology
2. Tropenmedizin und Parasitologie

Cuscohygrine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hygrine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food and nutrition bulletin

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food and nutrition bulletin

Activities

Erythroxylum coca has 496 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Insecticide, Stimulant, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse

Insecticide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Stimulant

1. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
2. Systematic biology

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ANS-Paralytic

1. Dr. Duke

ANS-Stimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Erythroxylum coca has 14 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidepressant, motion sickness, asthma, cachexia, coca.

Antidepressant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse

Motion sickness

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse

Asthma

1. Verhandelingen - Koninklijke Academie voor Geneeskunde van Belgie

Cachexia

1. Verhandelingen - Koninklijke Academie voor Geneeskunde van Belgie

Coca

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Cocaine addiction

1. Canadian Medical Association journal

Cocaine dependence

1. Annales de medecine interne

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Local anesthetic

1. Verhandelingen - Koninklijke Academie voor Geneeskunde van Belgie

Preparations

Erythroxylum coca has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include air-or heat-dried, coca leaf extract, homeopathic medicine.

Air-or heat-dried

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coca leaf extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Homeopathic medicine

1. Phytochemistry