Trichocereus Pachanoi, the San Pedro Cactus, is a fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes Mountains of Peru between 2000–3000 m in altitude. It is also found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, and it is cultivated in other parts of the world. Uses for it include traditional medicine and traditional veterinary medicine, and it is widely grown as an ornamental cactus. It has been used for healing and religious divination in the Andes Mountains region for over 3000 years. Currently it is believed to help with nervous conditions, joint problems, drug addictions, cardiac disease, and high blood pressure. Trichocereus Pachanoi contains hordenine and it has been shown that hordenine, N,N-Dimethyl-hydroxyphenylethylamine, exhibits an inhibitory action against at least 18 strains of penicillin resistant Staphylococcus bacteria.
The plant is light to dark green, sometimes glaucous, and has 4–9 (usually 5–7) ribs. Groups of 1–4 small, yellow to light brown spines are located at nodes which are spaced evenly, approximately 2 cm apart, along the ribs. Trichocereus Pachanoi can grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall and have multiple branches, usually extending from the base. The tallest recorded specimen was 12.2 metres (40 ft) tall. The cactus blossoms at night with flowers up to 20 centimetres (8 in) in diameter, and it bears red, tasty fruit.
This Pachanoi comes from the Fremantle Community Gardens in WA, via the old Funky Fungus which is now Tropical Food Forest. Is different to the PC Pachanoi, has larger spines, a different tip shape and is alot fatter. Had this one a few years now and is my biggest. Has started throwing some really long spines from the older growth. Is a fast grower and very hardy. Surprisingly strong and barely sways even in big storms. Love this cactus :)
26th, March, 2012 Update~*
New pics :)
This Pachanoi comes from the Fremantle Community Gardens in WA, via the old Funky Fungus which is now Tropical Food Forest. Is different to the PC Pachanoi, has larger spines, a different tip shape and is alot fatter. Had this one a few years now and is my biggest. Has started throwing some really long spines from the older growth. Is a fast grower and very hardy. Surprisingly strong and barely sways even in big storms. Love this cactus :)
10th Novemeber 2012 Update~*
Going to get some flowers this year :)
March 2nd 2013 Update~*
Flowered beautifully this summer, the following pics are from the 29th of Dec last year :)
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