Erythroxylum macrocarpum
Erythroxylum macrocarpum, commonly known as the large-fruited coca tree, is a significant medicinal plant native to South American tropical forests. Renowned for its alkaloid-rich leaves, it has historically been utilized in traditional healing practices to alleviate fatigue, digestive issues, and altitude sickness, offering unique pharmacological potential in modern ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Erythroxylum macrocarpum
- Family: Erythroxylaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement puts it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Erythroxylaceae and falls under 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, Erythroxylum macrocarpum, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently referred to as large-fruited coca, while in Spanish, it is commonly called coca de fruto grande. In Portuguese, the plant is known as coca de fruto grande, reflecting its botanical characteristics across different parts of South America.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is characterized by a very limited and specific geographical range. It is found exclusively within the Western Indian Ocean region. Specifically, its natural occurrence is restricted to the island nation of Mauritius. Because of this localized habitat, the species is considered endemic to this particular area. Such a narrow distribution highlights the unique biodiversity found within the Mascarene Islands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
Activities
Erythroxylum macrocarpum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiglycation, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiglycation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |