Erythroxylum pelleterianum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions of Western South America, specifically within Bolivia. In the vast territory of Brazil, its presence is widespread across multiple distinct geographic zones. It can be found throughout the North region of Brazil, stretching into the Northeast. Furthermore, the species inhabits the West-Central areas of the country. Finally, its documented range extends into the Southeast region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum pelleterianum is characterized by its adaptation to low-altitude tropical landscapes, typically thriving within an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. This species inhabits a diverse array of Brazilian biomes and vegetation structures, demonstrating significant ecological plasticity by colonizing the Cerrado (latu sensu), as well as various forest types including Floresta Ciliar or Galeria (riparian or gallery forests), Floresta Estacional Decidual, and Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual. Its presence across these distinct habitats suggests an ability to integrate into both seasonally dry deciduous environments and moisture-rich riparian corridors.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Erythroxylum pelletieranum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and continues to live through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived plant, it establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche, undergoing successive cycles of growth, flowering, and seed production over several years. This perennial nature allows the plant to accumulate biomass and develop a more robust root system over time, enhancing its ability to withstand environmental fluctuations and reproduce consistently across different seasonal intervals.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum pelleterianum is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a small tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 6 m. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic requirements. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior or epiphytic life stages, remaining firmly rooted in the soil as a terrestrial species rather than functioning as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum pelleterianum 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 pelleterianum 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