Colombian coca

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Colombian coca

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erythroxylum coca var. novogranatense

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. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Erythroxylaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Erythroxylum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several specific regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central areas as well as across the Southeast. It can also be found growing on the tropical island of Hainan. Beyond the mainland, the species is distributed throughout Taiwan in Eastern Asia. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the Indo-China region, specifically within Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum novogranatense is defined by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests a high degree of environmental plasticity, allowing the species to occupy various ecological niches across different montane and lowland landscapes. By thriving from 0 to 2000 m AMSL, the plant can encounter a wide spectrum of microclimates, varying precipitation patterns, and shifting soil compositions, which facilitates its distribution across complex topographical terrains.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erythroxylum novogranatense is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability without the seasonal shedding of leaves typical of deciduous plants. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant leaf retention enables the plant to maintain a steady physiological presence within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum novogranatense is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing or vining habits of lianas or facultative climbers. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of 3 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of 4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum novogranatense is characterized by specialized metabolic pathways optimized for survival in tropical environments, involving complex processes of photosynthesis and nutrient acquisition. The plant undergoes carbon fixation through the C3 pathway, utilizing stomatal regulation to manage gas exchange and transpiration rates in response to varying humidity and light intensity. Its metabolic activity is heavily reliant on the uptake of mineral nutrients from the soil, particularly through an extensive root system designed to optimize the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, and therefore cannot convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Instead, its nitrogenous requirements must be met through the assimilation of nitrates and ammonium ions directly from the substrate via active transport mechanisms in the root hairs.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum novogranatense has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cocaine, benzoylecgonine, Benzoyltropine, CALCIUM, COPPER.

cocaine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Phytochemistry
4. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

benzoylecgonine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Benzoyltropine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Cinnamoylcocaine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cinnamylcocaine

1. Dr. Duke

Cuscohygrine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ecgonine methyl ester

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ecgonone

1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Activities

Erythroxylum novogranatense has 250 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-HT-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anaphrodisiac

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke