The generic name has often been spelled Erythroxylon, especially in older literature[].

Common Name: Colombian Coca

General Information

Erythroxylum novogranatense is a small, evergreen shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall, with minute lenticels on the branches[].
The leaves are used like those from E. Coca, but this species did not become a commercial source of cocaine[].
Containing the same alkaloids as the street drug cocaine, the leaves have long been used by local people as a stimulant to overcome hunger and exhaustion[]. It is cultivated in the lower regions of tropical South America and Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka). Although of importance as a plantation crop for the Malesian region in the past, it has since long lost its importance[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is better adapted to the warm and humid conditions of the tropical lowlands than E. coca[].

Edible Uses

A high content of methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil) in the leaves makes this species an excellent raw material of flavourings for soft drinks. So 'Trujillo coca' in Peru is used in the manufacture of Coca-Cola[].
Highly regarded for its flavour and cocaine content, it has long been used for coca-flavoured beverages[].

Medicinal

The medicinal uses of this species are similar to those of Erythroxylum coca[]. These are:-

The leaves contain cocaine and other alkaloids. They are narcotic, cerebral-stimulant and locally anaesthetic[]. The alkaloids are extracted and used to make various pharmaceutical drugs, including a local anaesthetic[].
Chewed with lime or plant ashes the leaves cause a feeling of easiness and increasing energy. Therefore they are used by native peoples as a stimulant to endure better hunger, thirst and physical stress[].
An infusion of the leaves serves also as remedy for altitude sickness, the feared 'soroche'[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Formerly grown as a hedge plant in Malesia, at elevations up to 750 metres, for its bushiness and the contrast of its light green foliage with the bright red berries, but its cultivation is now prohibited[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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