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Erythroxylum obtusifolium

Erythroxylum obtusifolium (Wight) Hook. fil., Fl. Brit. India 1: 415 1874. (syn: Erythroxylum lanceolatum var. obtusifolium (Wight) Walp.; Sethia lanceolata var. obtusifolia Wight; Sethia obtusifolia (Wight) Thw.);
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S. India, Sri Lanka as per POWO;
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Thwaites Enum. 54 ; leaves 2-3.1/2 by 1.1/4-1.3/4 in. obovate-obtuse or broadly oblong tip rounded or obtusely pointed rather shining on both surfaces nerves rather oblique elevated, pedicels short stout.
CEYLON ; Central Provinces, alt. 2-4000 ft., Thwaites.
I follow Thwaites in retaining this as a distinct species, though I can scarcely doubt its being a broad-leaved state of E. lanceolatum, its nerves are less oblique however. It occurs under, the two forms of long stamens and short style and vice versa. Fruit in Thwaites’s drawing 1/3 in. long, linear-oblong, straight, red. Thwaites refers to this the S. lanceolata var. obtusifolia of Wight, which is, however, clearly a very trifling variety of S. lanceolatum.
(Attributions- IBIS Flora (Flora of British India))
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HALDU 3 A & B 2014/12/20 : 3 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (2).
Please ID this small shrub with white flowers and red berries. Photo was taken in Sri Lanka in Mar 2013.

It can be Erythroxylum monogynum.

Does not match with other images at Erythroxylum monogynum

Looks different from images at Erythroxylum monogynum
It is more likely to be Erythroxylum obtusifolium as per Biotik, FoPI, POWO, IBP
Also looks different from Erythroxylum moonii as per GBIF, Biotik, POWO, instituteofayurveda, FRLHT

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17/06/2013 ASP 59 : Attachments (1).  2 posts by 2 authors.
Can you please ID this medicinal herb with white flowers and red fruits. Photo was taken in Sri Lanka in Dec 2012

Erythroxylum monogynum of Erythroxylaceae.

Does not match with other images at Erythroxylum monogynum

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FOR ID :: Dicots :: The Nilgiris :: Feb 1, 2026 · 02:11 PM IST: 9 images.

FOR ID ::
Dicots
The Nilgiris :: Feb 1, 2026 · 02:11 PM IST
Marappalam, about 1014 m asl

Erythroxylum coca Lam. ??

It does look like Erythroxylum coca Lam. – cultivated in the Nilgiris, is not known to escape or naturalize.
It also matches Erythroxylum obtusifolium (Wight) Hook.f. a native tree found specifically in the Nilgiri district.
For now I will label it as  Erythroxylum obtusifolium (Wight) Hook.f.- only because I found this plant growing wild along Coonoor – Mettupalayam Road.

I think my observation fits more to Erythroxylum monogynum Roxb.
Will label so and wait for validation.

I will go for Erythroxylum obtusifolium (Wight) Hook. fil. as the apex is rounded or emarginate and the inflorescence is axillary, as per
https://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/herbsheet.php?id=4592&cat=13
https://efloraofindia.com/efi/erythroxylum-obtusifolium/

I will go with your suggestion.

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Updated on July 1, 2026

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