Erythroxylum deciduum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across the tropical regions of South America. In Western South America, its range extends through the territories of Bolivia and Peru. The species is also well-represented within the diverse landscapes of Brazil. Specifically, it can be found in the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the country. This wide-reaching presence highlights the plant's ability to thrive in various South American environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum deciduum is characterized by its specific preference for lowland environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This species is typically found within the habitat of bosque bajo, where it thrives specifically on saturated soil conditions, indicating a high tolerance for or dependency on moisture-rich substrates within these low-lying forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo on saturated soil

Life history

The life history of Erythroxylum deciduum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem system above the ground, though it also exhibits traits consistent with a nanophanerophyte, suggesting a growth habit where the woody stems are relatively short. Furthermore, this species is deciduous, undergoing a seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its biological rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum deciduum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a sturdy and independent structure. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or a climber, maintaining a self-supporting habit without the need for external support such as lianas or vines. The plant is non-parasitic, operating as an independent organism within its ecosystem. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean plant height of approximately 6 meters, though it has the capacity to attain a maximum height of up to 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum deciduum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation during the light-independent reactions. In terms of nutrient acquisition and metabolic synergy, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Erythroxylum deciduum is characterized by specific morphological parameters concerning its propagules, particularly within its seed development stage. The reproductive output is defined by highly consistent seed dimensions, showing no variance across observed samples. The seed volume remains constant, with a minimum, maximum, and mean value all recorded at exactly 270 mm³. This uniformity in seed volume suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, ensuring that each seed possesses a standardized amount of nutrient reserves necessary for successful germination and early seedling establishment.

Seed volume max:

270 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum deciduum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cocaine.

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Erythroxylum deciduum 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