The identification of coca (Erythroxylum species): 1860-1910

The taxonomic history of plants known under the name ‘coca’ is complex. During the period 1860–1910, botanists, horticulturalists and pharmacists became increasingly interested in the varieties of coca then known in cultivation. A debate over the correct identity of the cultivated cocas ensued which continues today. During the latter part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century, several new taxa were described from cultivation which significantly -complicated the taxonomy. Notable contributors were D. Morris in Kew, W. Burck in Bogor, H. H. Rusby in New York and O. E. Schulz in Berlin. In order to evaluate the complex interaction among these workers, it is necessary to examine the problem chronologically. Two cultivated species of commercial coca are now recognized: Erythroxylutn coca Lam. and Erythroxylutn nooogranatense (Morris) Hieron., each of which has one distinct variety in cultivation: E. coca var. ipadu Plowman and E. novogranatense var. truxillense (Rusby) Plowman, respectively.