The Complex Evolutionary History of Coca

Transcript Abstract

Our dynamic understanding of botanical diversity stems from examinations of the physical characteristics and evolutionary histories of plants, culminating in naming systems that enable data synthesis, foster discourse, and inspire new investigations. Our current understanding of coca’s diversity and distribution was established 46 years ago by Timothy Plowman, who identified four varieties of coca associated with distinct geographic regions. My research builds on this foundation by investigating the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of the four coca varieties and their wild relatives.

The genomes of coca and its wild ancestor, Erythroxylum gracilipes, reveal a more complex evolutionary history than previously recognized: the four coca varieties represent three distinct evolutionary lineages that arose from multiple, independent domestication events caused by distinct Holocene cultures in South America. This redefines coca from being a single crop adapted to various environments to being multiple crops, each uniquely shaped by the cultural and ecological contexts in which they were domesticated. 

Given coca’s pluralistic nature and intricate past, I will outline ongoing research aimed at further elucidating its geographic and temporal origins. By integrating botanical, genomic, archaeological, and cultural perspectives, we can deepen our understanding of coca’s complexity and its enduring significance across cultures today.