Erythroxylon coca Seedling

A seedling of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca). The leaves contain the stimulant chemical cocaine. They can be chewed to produce a mild stimulant effect, or made into an infusion. The plant is native to the slopes of the Andes in South America, where indigenous people have used it for centuries. The leaves can also be processed to extract pure cocaine. For this reason the cultivation of the plant is controversial.

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Filename: K17cocaineplant-6.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 5616x3744 / 4.8MB; erythroxylon coca coca plant leaf biology botany medicine close-up alternative angiosperm angiosperms biological botanical cocaine complementary detail drug flora green herbal treatment illegal ipadu leaves medical medicinal nature plants south american stimulant white background erythroxylon erythroxylaceae seedling coca leaf
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A seedling of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca). The leaves contain the stimulant chemical cocaine. They can be chewed to produce a mild stimulant effect, or made into an infusion. The plant is native to the slopes of the Andes in South America, where indigenous people have used it for centuries. The leaves can also be processed to extract pure cocaine. For this reason the cultivation of the plant is controversial.