Shrub:
The shrub called Erythroxylon coca develops fully in the geographic area of the plateau, whose growth is favored by wet weather and temperature prevailing in the area.
Of this shrub and its leaves are properly extracted a white substance, crystalline, known cocaine hydrochloride.
It is distinguished from other shrubs, because their whole leaves shortly petiolate, oval, obtuse, 2 to 7 cm. long by 1.5 to 4 cm. wide, eventually lattice, with prominent midrib. Are about equal on each side of the midrib and about one third of the distance is on the verge, has two curved lines, clearly visible. They are grayish-green, sometimes brownish, stiff and hairless, weak aromatic odor and bitter taste, astringent and slightly bitter.
Most important features of the coca leaf, are especially two configurations that run parallel to the midrib, the entire length of it, are specific elements that allow unquestionable identification by simple observation.
Coca leaves are chewed in its raw state by the inhabitants of northern Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, as also rolled with baking soda, lime or ashes of a plant, finding a stimulus or practice and thereby reduce the feeling of hunger, low ambient oxygen partial pressure due to the altitude, all factors determining truly inhospitable conditions. This action is commonly called “Coking”.
Tags: coca leaf, Coca leaves, cocain, Cocaine Production, Erythroxylon coca, shrub
