Erythroxylum novogranatense is a species of shrub in the family Erythroxylaceae native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuela.[1] It is used medicinally and as a narcotic.[2]Erythroxylum novogranatense is one of the primary species of cultivated Coca,[3] despite being less widely cultivated than Erythroxylum coca.[4]
It was first described as Erythroxylum coca var. novogranatenseD.Morris by Daniel Morris in 1889.[1][5] It was elevated to the status of a separate species as Erythroxylum novogranatense(D.Morris) Hieron. by Georg Hans Emmo Wolfgang Hieronymus in 1895.[6]
The specific epithet novogranatense, from the Latin novus meaning new and granatensis meaning of Granada, refers to the geographic origin of the plant in Colombia, which was formely known as Nueva Granada.[7]
Distribution and habitat
Erythroxylum novogranatense is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuela.[1] It tolerates non-acidic soils.[8] It has been Introduced to South-Central and Southeastern China, Hainan, Java, Leeward Islands, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Windward Islands.[1]
Cocaine content
In an extensive study, the cocaine content in leaves of E. coca var. coca (30 samples) was found to range from 0.23-0.96%, with a mean of 0.63%, while the cocaine content in E. coca var. ipadu (6 samples) was lower: 0.11-0.41%, with an average of 0.25%. E. novogranatense var. novogranatense (3 samples) contained 0.55-0.93% cocaine, with an average of 0.77% and E. novogranatense var. truxillense (14 samples) 0.42-1.02%, with a mean of 0.72%.[9]
Ecology
Erythroxylum novogranatense is a highland variety that is utilized in lowland areas. It is cultivated in drier regions in South America, where it requires irrigation.[10] However, E. novogranatense is very adaptable to varying ecological conditions, and grows well in both humid and dry areas, and at low and higher altitudes. In Java (Indonesia), E. novogranatense has been cultivated from sea-level to 1,000m (3,300ft) altitude, with best results at 400–600m (1,300–2,000ft).
In controlled environment studies, the optimum average daily temperature for leaf growth for E. novogranatense var. novogranatense was found to be around 27°C (81°F), whereas leaf growth was generally higher at photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) of 250 or 400 micromol per meter square per second than at 155 micromol per meter square per second. Environmental effects on the cocaine concentration in the leaves were smaller, so that total cocaine production per plant was largely a function of leaf mass, with environmental conditions that stimulated leaf growth giving higher cocaine yields. Both species grow on soils with low pH, and a greenhouse study has shown that the optimum pH for biomass accumulation of E. novogranatense is between 4.7 and 6.0.
Propagation and planting
Erythroxylum novogranatense var. novogranatense, E. novogranatense var. truxillense and E. coca var. coca have to be reproduced by seed, because vegetative propagation is difficult.[citation needed] However, E. coca var. ipadu does not produce seed and is produced by stem cuttings. [citation needed]It cannot reproduce without human interference.[citation needed] Cultivated E. novogranatense var. novogranatense produces abundant seed and is easy to propagate.[citation needed] Seed viability decreases rapidly.[citation needed] Germination percentages of E. coca and E. novogranatense seed were found to decrease from around 95% and 89% directly after harvesting to 29% and 0%, respectively, after 24 days of storage at 4m (13ft).[citation needed] Coca seedlings are usually sown in shaded nurseries and transplanted to the field when they are about one year old and 20–25cm (7.9–9.8in) tall.[citation needed] In the field, they are planted at a spacing of 1–2m (3ft 3in– 6ft 7in).[citation needed] The actual time of transplanting and the spacing of the plants varies with climatic factors and whether coca is interplanted or cultivated as a sole crop.[citation needed]
Coca farmers in South America, when collecting their seeds, pour them into a container of water; the seeds that float are discarded as they are non-viable.[citation needed]
Identification
Erythroxylum novogranatense var. truxillense flower
The basic physical difference between E. coca and E. novogranatense is that the E. coca (sometimes called E. bolivianum) has larger leaves that are elliptical, oval and broader near the middle (broad-elliptic) and darker green color above. The E. novogranatense has smaller, narrower leaves, broadest near the apex (oblong-obovate), and bright green color above. To identify E. novogranatense var. novogranatense from E. novogranatense var. truxillense: The leaves of E. novogranatense var. truxillense does not possess parallel lines either side of the central vein like all other varieties.
Harvesting
The first harvest of coca takes place at 1–3 years after transplanting. In the Island of Java (Indonesia), a first harvest can be expected within a year after transplanting. The leaves have to be stiff and easily detachable to be harvested. Leaves can be harvested every 50–60 days in the rainy season, but when it is drier, they are usually harvested every 3–4 months. The leaves should be pinched from the plant, not ripped off.
↑Erythroxylum novogranatense (D.Morris) Hieron. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved February 11, 2026, from https://www.ipni.org/n/97004-2
↑Johnson, Emanuel L.; Campbell, T. Austin; Foy, Charles D. (November 1997). "Effect of soil pH on mineral element concentrations of two Erythroxylum species". Journal of Plant Nutrition. 20 (11): 1503–1515. Bibcode:1997JPlaN..20.1503J. doi:10.1080/01904169709365352.
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