Erythroxylum fimbriatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the tropical Americas. In Central America, its presence is specifically noted within the country of Costa Rica. Moving into Northern South America, it can be found inhabiting both Venezuela and French Guiana. The species also extends into Western South America, where it grows in Colombia. Finally, its geographical range includes the neighboring nation of Ecuador.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum fimbriatum is characterized by its preference for the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), where it thrives within these humid, high-precipitation tropical forest ecosystems. This species occupies a specific vertical niche within its landscape, maintaining an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 850 m AMSL. This altitudinal distribution suggests an adaptation to the moisture-rich and stable thermal conditions typically found in lowland and lower montane rainforest environments.

Elevational range max:

850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum fimbriatum is characterized by its woody structure and diverse growth habits, ranging from a shrub to a larger tree form. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic or semiaquatic, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a self-supporting liana or vine rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber requiring external host structures for stability. It is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of physical scale, the plant can reach a maximum height of approximately 8 meters, supported by its robust, woody stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum fimbriatum is characterized by its metabolic efficiency within its specific ecological niche, primarily driven by its photosynthetic pathway. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound via the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates its physiological response to environmental stressors, such as light intensity and water availability, influencing its transpiration rates and overall carbon assimilation patterns. The reliance on C3 metabolism means that the plant's gas exchange and energy production are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and photorespiration rates, which are critical factors in its growth and nutrient cycling within its native habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythroxylum fimbriatum is primarily mediated through the production of seeds contained within its fruit structures. The reproductive cycle involves the development of seeds that exhibit specific morphological dimensions used for identification. These seeds vary in size, with a seed length ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm. This variability in seed size is a key characteristic during the dispersal and germination phases of the plant's life cycle, ensuring the propagation of the species within its natural habitat.

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum fimbriatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TROPACOCAINE, cocaine.

TROPACOCAINE

1. Dr. Duke

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Erythroxylum fimbriatum 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