Erythroxylum coca

   

 

/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Erythroxylum%20coca.jpg

Erythroxylum coca Lam. (Erythroxylaceae)
It is an exotic (to India), cultivated coca plant native to western South America.
Shrub, 2-3 m high, the branches are straight, and the leaves, which have a green tint, are thin, opaque, oval, and taper at the extremities. Amarked characteristic of the leaf is an areolated portion bounded by two longitudinal curved lines, one line on each side of the midrib, and more conspicuous on the under face of the leaf. The flowers are small, and disposed in clusters on short stalks; the corolla is composed of five yellowish-white petals; anther heart-shaped; pistil consists of three carpels united to form a three-chambered ovary. The flowers mature into red berries.

Beautiful description and photographs … really interesting upload..

Thank you for showing this narcotic plant. It is believed that ‘Coca’ plant has made more addicts than any other single species in the world. The leaves contain Cocaine, tropacocaine, cinnamylcocaine, truxillines and benzoylecgonine alkaloids which are narcotic materials and strongly habit forming. Interestingly, ‘Cola’ leaves are also used in flavourings of many soft drinks BUT ONLY AFTER THESE ARE DEALKALOIDISED (alkaloids removed).

… you put very interesting note on this plant.