It is found growing in river valleys of coastal Peru and other arid areas of this region. E. novogranatense var. It is also drought tolerant and is not found growing outside Cultivation. Cultivation Coca plants are small evergreen shrubs with reddish brown bark. The plants possess small yellowish-green flowers, which develop into red drupes.
Andean natives grow coca from seed.
The women collect the drupes when they are almost ripe. The drupes are placed in a basket and allowed to set until the fruit becomes soft. The pulp is then washed away and the seeds are allowed to dry in the sun. The seeds are then placed in seed beds and germinate in approximately 24 days. When seedlings have four leaves a lattice covering is placed over them protecting them for a year.