My personal faves:

Golden Saguaro, Trichocereus Terscheckii
T. terscheckii –
Tall arborescent Native to Catamarca, Argentina.
Contains: mescaline, trichocereine.

(San Pedro) Trichocereus Pachanoi
T. pachanoi -
( San Pedro ) A common ornamental cactus which is still widely available for landscaping from local nurseries, particularly in desert states. Known to the natives as the sacred Cactus of the four winds. This plant is native to the western slopes of the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador were it can grow to over 5 meters. An extremely hardy cactus it does well in colder climates as it grows in the wild at altitudes of up to 3000 meters. It is very fast growing, averaging up to a half meter a year of new growth. When mature, the plants are large and multi-branched from the base, growing as a large shrub when older. A columnar shaped Cactus, with 4 - 8 broad and rounded ribs, 6 or 7 being the most common. Very rare is the 4 ribbed variety, which is highly prized among the Indians. The plant is also characterized by having 1 - 4 small spines per areole, dark yellow or brown in color.

The alkaloids present, including the majority of mescaline reside in the first 1 cm of skin. The green chlorophyl containing tissue under the skin appears to be where the majority of the alkaloids accumulate. The adjacent white tissue is low in, or totally lacking those active ingredients. The woody core is also considered esentially free of active alkaloids.( May contain some alkaloids that might alter the effects of ingestion )
Old specimens can have beautiful night-blooming flowers to 22 cm across that have a lovely smell reminiscent of " beach-nut gum " . Unfortunately it is difficult to get to bloom, especially in northern latitudes.

This Cactus grows best in mineral rich, well-drained soil containing some organic matter. Enjoys bright, but not full Sun and can tolerate abundant watering, does well indoors in pots. Natural habitat is in soil rich in humus and minerals, adequate rainfall, and maximal exposure to sun and wind. This species is also popular as grafting stock for smaller, slower growing cacti.
Used traditionally in divination, diagnosis of disease, finding lost or stolen property, and to possess another persons soul. A form of the original San Pedro religion still survives to this day, around Huacananda, Peru.

There has been some suggestion that T. Pachanoi is merely a less sun tolerant and less spiny variant of the rarer T. Peruvianus. I do not agree with that assertion as both species can interbreed and many hybrids exist, one of which was probably used as the basis of that observation.

Contains: mescaline (0.11 - 2.3%), 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethylamine, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, anhalonidine, anhalinine, hordenine, tyramine, 3-methoxytyramine.

(San Pedro) Trichocereus Bridgesii
T. bridgesii -
Fast growing, slender, columnar.
Contains: mescaline, tyramine, 3-methoxytyramine, 3-4-dimethoxyphenethylamine.

(San Pedro) Peruvian Torch, Trichocereus Peruvianus
T. peruvianus -

Also known as the Peruvian fence post. This cactus is fast becoming popular, as it is almost as fast growing as San Pedro, but with a higher content of mescaline. Very fast growing, huge when mature, columnar. Is readily available in Peru but is rare as an ornamental in the U. S. This species is also known to grow on ledges and let its heavy arms, that may be up to 5 meters long, dangle over the edge of cliffs.

Some studies reported up to 10% mescaline content by dry weight but a more reasonable and believable figure is in the 1 - 3% range. It contains only a few other psychoactive alkaloids, mainly tryptamines in much lower proportions.
Contains: mescaline (0.82%), 2-chloromescaline (.02%), tyramine (.009%), 3-methoxytyramine (.01%), 3-4-dimethoxyphenethylamine, 4-hydroxy-3-5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (.004%).

(San Pedro) Trichocereus Cuzcoensis
T. cuzcoensis -
Native to Cuzco, Peru.
Contains: tyramine, 3-methoxytyramine, mescaline, 3-methoxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine.

Trichocereus Macrogonus-Salm Dyck
T. macrogonus -
Huge, columnar.Contains: mescaline, tyramine, 3-methoxytyramine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine.

Trichocereus Spachianus
T. spachianus -Contains: hordenine, N-methyltyramine (.007%), candicine (.01%), mescaline, tyramine.



yumm

vert

Thank you Vert. Such a wealth of information. I should want to have a buding cacti farm after reading that. Now I just have to find a way of aquiring them. Do you know of any of the methods of preparation for consuming the San Pedro cactis? I've read some before, and there seemed to be a great deal of debate on the matter.

Also, Is grafting difficult? I would like to graft my peyote cactus on to a San Pedro because, as you said, it may help it to grow faster.

informative post! I learned a few things which always makes my day.

mods: perhaps this discussion is best suited in its own thread as the topic has changed?

Thanks Spellbin

Vert

that part about "abundant watering" is deceptive. san pedro cannot get too much water, or it will start to rot. I've had a large one for many years, and at one point, had it out on my porch where it would get rained on during the summer. One week, there was alot of rain, and the san pedro began rotting at the base. I took it inside, and it dried out, but still bears the scars of that week of rain.

I've got a wide variety of cactus for sale, San Pedro, Peruvian Torch, T. Bridgesii, Peyote, all sorts of sizes and ages. Call the shop (604)662-5355 to see what is available and prices.

yeah, pedro will do fine outdoors with regular waterings as long as the weather is hot.

you start getting cool damp weather for days and you get problems.

i keep a few patio umbrellas around for rainy days. i like to control the ammount of water my cacti get.

but if a watering is due, ill just let the rain fall on them.

it does not have to be hot. where it grow, up in the andes, it gets quite cold at night.


should not freeze though.