Erythroxylum havanense

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning from the United States into several regions of Mexico. In the Southeastern United States, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Florida. Moving into Mexico, the species can be found throughout the central territories. Its range also extends to the northeastern and gulf coastal regions of the country. Finally, the distribution reaches into the northwestern parts of Mexico, completing its extensive footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum havanense is characterized by its distribution across a broad vertical gradient within its natural habitats. This species thrives across an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal breadth allows the plant to occupy diverse ecological niches, ranging from lowland tropical environments to higher-altitude montane zones, adapting to varying temperature regimes and moisture availability within these different strata.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum havanense is characterized by a woody structure, functioning as a self-supporting shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite or a hemi-epiphyte. Its growth form is strictly that of a shrub, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines, as it is entirely self-supporting and does not require external structures for elevation.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum havanense is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its natural environment. In terms of its structural and anatomical composition, the plant exhibits highly consistent physical properties regarding its woody tissue, specifically evidenced by its stem specific density (SSD). The stem specific density remains uniform across its measured range, with an SSD_min of 990 mg/cm³, an SSD_max of 990 mg/cm³, and a corresponding SSD_mean of 990 mg/cm³. This stability in density suggests a highly standardized cellular arrangement within the stem tissues, contributing to the plant's overall physiological integrity and structural support.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

990 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum havanense has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cinnamoylcocaine, TROPACOCAINE, beta-Cocaine, cocaine.

Cinnamoylcocaine

1. Dr. Duke

TROPACOCAINE

1. Dr. Duke

beta-Cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Erythroxylum havanense 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