''Echinopsis peruviana'' (syn. ''Trichocereus peruvianus''), the Peruvian torch cactus, is a fast-growing columnar
cactus
A cactus (, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Gree ...
native to the western slope of the
Andes
The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
in
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
, between about above sea level.
Description
The plant is bluish-green in color, with frosted stems, and 6-9 broadly rounded ribs; it has large, white flowers. It can grow up to tall, with stems up to in diameter; it is fully erect to begin with, but later possibly arching over, or even becoming prostrate. Groups of 6-8 honey-colored to brown rigid spines, up to in length, with most about , are located at the nodes, which are evenly spaced along the ribs, up to approximately apart.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
''Echinopsis peruviana'' ssp. ''puquiensis'' (
Rauh &
Backeb.) Ostolaza
Varieties
Some varieties, with scientifically invalid names, of ''Echinopsis peruviana'' are:
* var. ''ancash'' (KK1688),
San Marcos, Ancash, northwest Peru.
* var. ''ayacuchensis'' (KK2151), southwestern Peru.
* var. ''cuzcoensis'' (KK340), Huachac,
Cuzco, southeastern Peru.
* var. (H14192), Huntington, USA.
* var. ''huancabamba'',
Piura
Piura is a city in northwestern Peru located in the Sechura Desert on the Piura River. It is the capital of the Piura Region and the Piura Province. Its population was 484,475 as of 2017.
It was here that Spanish Conqueror Francisco Pizarro ...
, northwest Peru.
* var. ''huancavelica'' (KK242a), west central Peru.
* var. ''huancayo'' (KK338), west central Peru.
* var. ''huaraz'' (KK2152), Ancash, northwestern Peru.
* var. ''matucana'' (KK242)
Lima
Lima ( ; ), originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of The Kings) is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of ...
, central west Peru.
* var. ''puquiensis'' (KK1689), Puquio,
Apurímac Region, southwestern Peru.
* var. ''Rio Lurin'' (KK2147), Rio Rimac, Lima, west central Peru.
* var. ''tarmensis'' (KK2148),
Tarma,
Junín, west central Peru.
* var. ''trujilloensis'',
Trujillo, La Libertad, northwestern Peru.
Mescaline content
''Echinopsis peruviana'' is one of a number of ''Echinopsis'' species native to the Andes that have been reported to contain the psychoactive alkaloid
mescaline
Mescaline or mescalin (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a naturally occurring psychedelic protoalkaloid of the substituted phenethylamine class, known for its hallucinogenic effects comparable to those of LSD and psilocybin.
Biological ...
.
Others include ''
E. pachanoi'', ''
E. lageniformis'', ''
E. scopulicola'', ''
E. santaensis'' and ''
E. puquiensis''. All those columnar species thought to be psychoactive have been called "San Pedro" in Spanish. Reported concentrations of mescaline vary widely, with causes suggested to include: taxonomic uncertainty leading to difficulties in identification; genetic differences between species and within populations; environmental factors, such as temperature and water availability, affecting plants during growth; and variations in laboratory techniques.
[
Some studies have reported no mescaline content in wild-harvested Peruvian specimens of ''E. peruviana'',]cultivar
A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture ...
s, when mescaline has been found, it has been at very much lower concentrations than in the highest yielding forms of other species; for example 0.24% of dry weight for ''E. peruviana'' KK242 compared to 4.7% for a strain of ''E. pachanoi'' on sale in traditional Peruvian shamans' markets, a factor of almost 20 times less.
Notes
References
* James D. Mauseth, Roberto Kiesling, ''Cactus and Succulent Journal (US)'' 70 (1): 32-39
* Michael S. Smith, ''The Narcotic and Hallucinogenic Cacti of the New World''
* William Rafti, "KK242 Notes and photos" ASIN: B001EHF2BU Library of Congress Number: 2008902776
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q290382
peruviana
Cacti of South America
Endemic flora of Peru
Entheogens
Herbal and fungal hallucinogens
Medicinal plants of South America
Psychedelic phenethylamine carriers
Psychoactive cacti