San Pedro Cactus. Trichocereus pachanoi, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), San Pedro Cactus. Also called: Achuma, Aguacolla, Gigant�n, Huachuma, Echinopsis pachanoi, Cereus pachanoi. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. San Pedro cactus, Trichocereus pachanoi, or Echinopsis pachanoi is a fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes Mountains at 6,600 � 9,800 feet in altitude. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. The San Pedro cactus contains the psychedelic drugs, mescaline and entheogen. The highest concentration of these drugs is found in the layer of green photosynthetic tissue just beneath the skin. There are various mescaline extraction techniques, the most simple is: (simmering in water 5 to 7 hours). Thus, many people who use these drugs grow San Pedro Cactus. In most countries it is legal to cultivate the San Pedro cactus for gardening and ornamental purposes, but not for consumption. Wink, Wink. It has been used for healing and religious divination in the Andes Mountains region for over 2,000 years, to the Moche culture. It is interesting as to how it got it's common name, San Pedro Cactus. After the Spanish conquest, the Roman Catholic church authorities attempted to suppress its use, this failed. The common name "San Pedro cactus" � Saint Peter cactus, is attributed to the belief, that just as Saint Peter holds the keys to heaven; the effects of the cactus allows users, "to reach heaven while still on earth." Quick Notes: Height: Height from 10 to about 20 feet. Multiple branches spreading to about 5 feet. The tallest recorded specimen was 40 feet tall. Flowers: Flowers are white, at the end of the stems, about 7.5 to 9.4 inches long with a diameter of up to about 8 inches. There are black hairs along the length of the tube leading to the flower. Flowers opening at night. Blooming Time: Night. April - September. Leaves or Segments: Light to dark green, sometimes glaucous (bluish). Diameter of about 2.4 � 5.9 inches with usually 6 � 8 ribs. Spines: The whitish areoles may produce up to seven yellow to brown spines, each up to about 0.8 inch long; the plant is sometimes spineless. The areoles are spaced evenly along the ribs, approximately 0.8 inch apart. Fruit: Oblong dark green fruits are produced after fertilization, about 1.2 inches across and about 2.0 � 2.4 inches long. Seeds: Black oval rough - about 1/16 inch in length. Found: Ecuador and Peru. But probably includes Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Elevation: Native at 6,600 � 9,800 feet. Will grow at lower elevations. Hardiness: USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade Habitat: Sandy flats. A Xeriscape Landscape plant. Miscellaneous: Does well in Arizona.

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