Trichocereus spp.Trichocereus spp. InformationTrichocereus is a genus of flowering plants in the Cactaceae family. Cactaceae is the botanical name, the common name is the cactus family. Most people refer to all members of the Cactaceae family as cactus plants. The words cacti or cactuses can be used to describe more than one cactus plant. All of the species in the Trichocereus genus have been moved to the Echinopsis genus, so technically the Trichocereus genus no longer exists. A cactus such as the one commonly called san pedro cactus (which was called Trichocereus pachanoi in previous botanical nomenclature) is now known as Echinopsis pachanoi. Most books have san pedro listed under Trichocereus pachanoi, and people who are familiar with san pedro know it as Trichocereus pachanoi. To make the contents of this page easier to understand, the Trichocereus genus will be treated as though it were still classified as an official botanical genus. Scientific Classification Of Trichocereus All species of plants in the Trichocereus genus originated in South America. Many species can still be found growing wild in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Because of their hardiness, some species of Trichocereus can be grown outdoors in areas of the world where the temperature remains above freezing year round. They can also grow well if cultivated indoors. The reason for considering Trichocereus a separate genus and not part of Echinopsis so is because many species in the Trichocereus genus contain mescaline while none of the species in the Echinopsis genus (other than former members of the Trichocereus genus) contain worthwhile quantities, if any. Although mescaline is the primary chemical that produces psychoactive effects, other chemicals produced by cacti in the Trichocereus genus include candicine, hordenine, and trichocerine. Some of these (and other chemicals that are hard to spell and pronounce) present in Trichocereus cacti have psychoactive properties of their own. Because the amount of each chemical varies by species, ingesting cacti from one species of Trichocereus that contains mescaline will produce results that are very similar (yet not exactly the same) as ingesting cacti from a different species, even if both species contained the same amount of mescaline. The mescaline content in dried Trichocereus pachanoi (san pedro) can reach to about 2%, maybe a little more. A few species of Trichocereus have a mescaline content somewhere in the same range as Trichocereus pachanoi, but most have a lesser amount than that. The peyote cactus (botanical name Lophophora williamsii) grows wild in Mexico and the southern USA. It is a natural source of larger concentrations of mescaline than cacti in the Trichocereus genus. The mescaline content in dried samples of Lophophora williamsii can reach 6%. However, Lophophora williamsii is a slow growing cactus, it takes decades to grow to a size when it big enough to be worth using a source of mescaline. You actually can obtain more mescaline (in a shorter amount of time) by growing certain species of Trichocereus, than you would if you grew Lophophora williamsii. In the USA, Trichocereus cacti are legal while Lophophora williamsii cacti are illegal (except for members of some native churches). Lophophora williamsii is also an endangered species, any wild specimens should be left to grow in the natural state. If you have access to living Lophophora williamsii plants, rather than harvesting the entire plant, it is best to just harvest the buttons. In this way the plant is allowed to grow and produce more buttons. The Lophophora williamsii cactus pictured here is at least 30-50 years old and covered with buttons. The buttons can be dried and ingested, or they can be used to grow new plants, without killing the mother plant they are taken from. Species Of Trichocereus That Contain MescalineNote: You can legally buy, own, and grow any type of Trichocereus cactus to learn more about the plant. But in the USA, ingesting (or intending to ingest) any type of Trichocereus cactus for its mescaline content is illegal. Do not ingest any cactus that contains mescaline if doing so is illegal where you live. If you plan on growing Trichocereus cacti from plant cuttings, start them in the spring or summer. It is hard to get a cutting to take root in the fall or winter. Most Trichocereus cuttings can remain viable for a year (or longer) if stored in a cool (but above freezing), dark space. A rooted Trichocereus cactus plant can be started at any time of year, if grown indoors. However, these types of cacti are dormant (grow slow and require little water or nutrition) during the cooler fall/winter months, when the amount of sunlight is restricted. It is preferable to preform any planting, grafting, and other work in the spring or summer. Here is a list of the species of Trichocereus that are known to contain the largest quantity of mescaline. Links are provided to an American supplier where you can buy seeds, plant cuttings (can be consumed or grown), and rooted plants (ready to start growing). Trichocereus pachanoi - Commonly known as the san pedro cactus, this is a hardy, fast growing cactus. In the wild it can grow to a height of 20 feet. The most commonly used (and most well known) mescaline cactus in the Trichocereus genus. Mescaline content can reach 2% (or slightly higher) in dried samples. There are seeds and rooted cacti and cuttings available. Trichocereus pachanoi is recommended as a source of mescaline. Trichocereus bridgesii - Commonly known as the achuma cactus, this is a hardy, fast growing cactus that originated in Bolivia. In the wild it can grow to a height of 20 feet. It has a long history of shamanic use in its native Bolivia. The mescaline content is very close to san pedro (about 2% in dry samples), but some individual Trichocereus bridgesii plants have a mescaline content that exceeds that of san pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi). Trichocereus bridgesii is recommended as a source of mescaline. Trichocereus peruvianus - Commonly known as the peruvian torch cactus, this is a hardy, fast growing cactus. In the wild it can grow to a height of 25 feet. Trichocereus peruvianus originated in Peru. Some literature says it has a mescaline content of 2% or more. More reliable sources report concentrations of about 1% mescaline in dry samples. Because it is hardy and grows quickly, peruvianus is recommended as a source of mescaline. Trichocereus bridgesii var. monstrose - The monstrose variety of Trichocereus bridgesii is prized by cactus collectors because of its relative scarcity. However, this variety is slower growing than standard members of the bridgesii species. Mescaline content is similar (sometimes even higher) than Trichocereus bridgesii. But because of the slow growth rate, it is more for a cacti collector than someone interested in cultivation for mescaline content. Trichocereus cv. Tom Juul's Giant - A cultivated variety of Trichocereus. It can grow to a height of 10-12 feet. This type of cactus is hard to find in nature. Its scarcity made it a sacred plant of a group of indigenous Indians located in Bolivia. A man named Tom Juul acquired a specimen and introduced it to other cacti collectors, from there the plant became more well known. It is known to contain mescaline, but it is more for a cacti collector than someone interested in cultivation for mescaline content. Links that may be of interest include: Trichocereus Terminology Cultivate - To encourage plant growth by providing enriched growing conditions. Cultivar Or Cultivated Variety - The word cultivar is a shortened form of the term cultivated variety. A cultivated variety is usually a plant that has been produced by agricultural or horticultural techniques. They are not normally found in nature, but sometimes mutants found in nature are collected and propagated by man (thus becoming a cultivated variety). Recommended abbreviation cv. (as in Trichocereus cv. Tom Juul's Giant). Cutting - A part of a plant that has been removed (from a mother plant) in order to start growing another distinct plant. A Trichocereus pachanoi cutting that is 6-12 inches long can be planted or consumed (after processing) for its mescaline content. Genus - In botanical terminology, genus (plural form genera) is a rank that plant families are divided into based on similar characteristics. All of the species within a genus will have a first name that is the genus name. Example, all species in the Trichocereus genus will have the first name Trichocereus, followed by the species name: Trichocereus bridgesii, Trichocereus pachanoi, Trichocereus peruvianus, etcetera. Hybrid - A plant that results from crossing two or more different plants. Hybrids are produced by humans with genetically determined traits. In other words, breeding a plant for specific traits the breeder wants. The parent plants may come from two different plant varieties, subspecies, species, genera, or (in rare cases) families. Mescaline - A natural chemical produced by some types of cactus plants. Mescaline is a mind expanding drug that can cause dream-like visions, euphoria, hallucinations, lessening of the ego, mystical experiences, spiritual experiences, and visuals. Negative effects may include anxiety, dizziness, headache, and nausea. Mother Plant - The original plant that a cutting was taken from. A plant cutting is taken in such a way as to not kill the mother plant. The mother plant can be male or female. Mother plant can also mean a plant that is ready to have a cutting taken from it. Psychoactive - A substance that affects the mind by altering brain chemistry. Rooted Cactus - A section of cactus with roots. Cacti can be grown from cuttings but a rooted section will grow faster because its roots are already established. sp. and spp. - In botanical terminology, unknown or undisclosed species of plants may be referred to using the abbreviation sp. (in the singular) or spp. (in the plural) in the place of the specific species name(s). The term Trichocereus sp. would mean 1 unknown or undisclosed species from the Trichocereus genus. The term Trichocereus spp. could mean the entire Trichocereus genus, or 2 or more unknown or undisclosed species from the Trichocereus genus. Species - In botanical terminology, a species is a rank that plant genera are divided into based on similar ecological, genetic, and reproductive characteristics. Plants within a species are reproductively isolated, share a common gene pool, and a common niche (when compared to other species). Variety - In botanical terminology, a variety is a type of plant that has developed an appearance distinct from the species it came from. Varieties often develop in nature as a result of being geographically separated (for a long period of time) from the species of plant they originated from. Varieties can also be mutant plants. Recommended abbreviation var. (as in Trichocereus bridgesii var. monstrose). copyright © www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/ Books The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: |
