15 replies to this topic

[psylocaria]

Hi all,
I am looking for a good trich. key. I found one referenced
in the historical boards but the links are broken. I know
there is probably and good thread on this topic but I can't
find it.

Was just hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
P



*** Admin Edit to add Photo for ID purposes ***

Edited by Freaky, 09 October 2011 - 12:40 PM.

[copelandiaKidd]

if you have a cacti to identify, post a pic. we have a few great cactus experts on here!!!!!! im sure you will get keyed in!~

[psylocaria]

if you have a cacti to identify, post a pic. we have a few great cactus experts on here!!!!!! im sure you will get keyed in!~

I will do that as soon as I can, thanks. But I would still like to be pointed toward a good key so that I can ID everything that I come across.

[Freaky]

This is what I use:

http://www.lycaeum.o....shtml?ID=16084

A Key to Distinguishing Trichocereus Species

What's Related >>
Step by step procedure for determining what Trichocereus you have

The Trichocereus Key

STEP 1

Are the stems basically erect and "more or less" branched? If yes, go to Step 1.1

Are the stems "simple", low to the ground and growing in clusters? Go to Step 2.1

STEP 1.1

Are the limbs of the flower broad? Go to Step 1.1.1

Are the limbs of the flower narrow? You have a TRICHOCEREUS FASCICULARIS (aka Weberbauerocereus fascicularis).

STEP 1.1.1

Are the joints relatively slender, 2 to 3.5" (5 to 9cm.) thick? Go to 1.1.1.1

Are the joints stout (sturdy)? Go to 1.1.1.2

STEP 1.1.1.1

Are the ribs scored by longitudinal furrows between the areoles? Go to 1.1.1.1.1

Are the ribs NOT scored by longitudinal furrows between the areoles? Go to 1.1.1.1.2

STEP 1.1.1.1.1

Are the tubercles (small knobby projections) prominent? You have TRICHOCEREUS THELEGONUS.

Are the tubercles (small knobby projections) NOT prominent? You have TRICHOCEREUS THELEGONOIDES.

STEP 1.1.1.1.2

Is there only one central spine? You have TRICHOCEREUS SPACHIANUS.

Are there 4 central spines? You have TRICHOCEREUS LAMPROCHLORUS

STEP 1.1.1.2

Are the ribs on old plants very numerous and the spines bristle-like? You have TRICHOCEREUS PASACANA (or Helianthocereus pasacana).

Are there 4-17 ribs? Go to 1.1.1.2.1

STEP 1.1.1.2.1

Are the spines slender, .4 to 2.75" (1 to 7cm.) long? Go to 1.1.1.2.1.1

Are the spines very stout and "formidable"? Go to 1.1.1.2.1.2

STEP 1.1.1.2.1.1

Are there 4 to 9 ribs? Go to 1.1.1.2.1.1.1

Are there 16 or 17 ribs? You have TRICHOCEREUS CHILOENSIS (aka TRICHOCEREUS CHILENSIS).

STEP 1.1.1.2.1.1.1

Are the spines yellow, at least when young; are there 4 to 8 ribs? You have TRICHOCEREUS BRIDGESII.

Are the spines brown from the first: are there 6 to 8 ribs? Go to 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1

STEP 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1

Is the plant dark green; are the spines few or wanting at each areole? You have TRICHOCEREUS PACHANOI.

Is the plant light green; are there several spines at each areole? Go to 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1

STEP 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1

Are the spines shaped like a needle and up to 1" (2.5cm) long or less? You have TRICHOCEREUS MACROGONUS.

Are the spines linear and tapering to a fine point, up to 2.75" (7cm.) long? Go to 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1

STEP 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1

Are the spines swollen at the base, is young growth green? You have TRICHOCEREUS CUZCOENSIS.

Are the spines NOT swollen at the base, is young growth lighter, having a waxy/frosty appearance? You have TRICHOCEREUS PERUVIANUS.

STEP 1.1.1.2.1.2

Are the spines dark brown? You have TRICHOCEREUS COQUIMBANUS.

Are the spines yellow? You have TRICHOCEREUS TERSCHECKII.

STEP 2.1

Are the flowers short, red or yellow and more or less bell shaped? You have TRICHOCEREUS HUASCHA (aka Helianthocereus huascha).

Are the flowers elongated, funnelform, white? Go to 2.1.1

STEP 2.1.1

Is the tube longer than the limb, are there 12 to 18 ribs? Go to 2.1.1.1

Is the tube about the length of the limb? You have TRICHOCEREUS SCHICKENDANTZII.

STEP 2.1.1.1

Is the stem slender, elongated? You have TRICHOCEREUS STRIGOSUS.

Is the stem stout, short? You have TRICHOCEREUS SHAFERI.

[Freaky]

And another favorite of mine:

http://www.lycaeum.o....shtml?ID=16087

Characteristics of Trichocereus Species


A physical description for each common Trichocereus

The Species Descriptions:

Trichocereus andalgalensis

Body: Described in the Cactus and Succulent Journal (US), Vol. 70, No. 1:32-39, James D. Mauseth & Roberto Kiesling.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus angelesii

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus arboricola

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus atacamensis - (Helianthocereus atacamensis?)

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Trichocereus bridgesii

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Forms a tall branching shrub, to 16' (5 m.) high. Pale green, partially frosted. Branches to 6" (15cm.). Not to be confused with Echinopsis bridgesii.
Ribs: 4-8, rounded, later flatter; separated by broad but shallow intervals.
Areoles/Spines: Large areoles, about .75" (2cm.) apart. Two to 6 dissimilar, yellowish spines, up to 4" (10cm.) long although shorter in cultivated plants.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, 7" (18cm.) long, flower-tube up to 2.4" (6cm.) long. Fruits oblong, 2.4" (6cm.) large.
Distribution: La Paz, Bolivia
Trichocereus bruchii

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus cajasensis

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus camarguensis

- B76 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Columnar, light green to 20" (50cm.) high. Branches curving, ascending. Apparently closely resembles T. strigosus.
Ribs: 14, very low.
Areoles/Spines: 12-13 radial spines to 1.2" (3cm.); 2-3 central spines to 2" (5cm.); spines needle-like, yellow or ash colored.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, to 8" (20cm.) large. Fruit spherical or ovoid, .75" (2cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Cinti (near Camargo), Bolivia.
Trichocereus candicans

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Erect or upcurving, yellowish-green up to 30" (75cm.) large. Forms colonies up to 10' (3m.) wide.
Ribs: 9-11, broad, low and rounded or obtuse.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, white felted when young, .75-1.2" (2-3cm.) apart. 10-12 radial spines, unequal size to 1.5" (4cm.); 4 central spines, longest 4" (10cm.). Spines taper to a fine point, brownish yellow, more or less mottled.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are large, funnelform, to 8" (20cm.), white and strongly perfumed. Fruit is ellipsoid-spherical, splitting on one side.
Distribution: Northern Argentina (around Mendoza).
Subspecies: v. gladiatus: bluish to pale green, to 25.5" (65cm.) high with very little branching. Up to 13 radial spines to 2", 1-4 central spines. Spines yellow, often banded red or red below, sometimes twisted. v. tenuispinus: intense bluish-green, less freely branching up to 33.5" (85cm.) high. Spines faded yellow, brownish-red below, all thin and rather short.
Trichocereus cephalomacrostibas

- B76
Body: Grayish green, in dense groups to 6.5' (2m.) high, stems to 4" (10cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8, broad, thickened around the areoles and divided by transverse furrows.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles .6" (1.5cm.) large, thickly brown felted; prominent, very crowded at the apex. Around 20 radial spines, very short, tapering to a point; 1-4 center spines to 4.75" (12cm.); dark brown at first, later faded gray, sometimes angular and channeled, rather curving and variously projecting, interlacing in part.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, to 4.75" (12cm.), ~4" (10cm.) diameter. Fruit reddish or yellowish-orange, oblong/spherical.
Distribution: Above Mollendo, Southern Peru.
Trichocereus chalaensis

- B76
Body: Erect branches to 13' (4m.) high, branches swelling during the foggy season to 6" (15cm.).
Ribs: 8, with a transverse furrow above the areole and a plane surface above and below.
Areoles/Spines: 6 to 10 radial spines to .4" (1cm.), 2-3 center spines to 2" (5cm.) long; dark brown at first or blackish above.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, to 6.75" (17cm.) long.
Distribution: South of Chala, Southern Peru.
Trichocereus chilensis (aka Trichocereus chiloensis)

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Columnar , usually with several stout branches arising from near the base, from 10' (3m.) to 26' (8m.) high. Occasionally confused with T. litoralis.
Ribs: 16-17, low and broad, separated by narrow intervals, divided into large tubercules when fully mature.
Areoles/Spines: 8 to 12 radial spines up to 1.5" (4cm.), a single center spine from 1.5" to 2.75" (4-7cm.) although up to 4.75" (12cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, tinged with red or brown, to 5.5" (14cm.). Fruit is spherical.
Distribution: Central Valley of Chile, from Curico to Puenta Colorado.
Subspecies: v. eburneus: Body is stouter, spines brownish at first, soon becoming ivory-white, flowers pink or suffused pink.
Trichocereus chuquisancanus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Trichocereus coquimbanus

- B76, BR63
Body: Prostrate or decumbent to 4' (1.2m.) high forming dense thickets, stems to 4" (10cm.) diameter
Ribs: 12-14.
Areoles/Spines: Large, round, filled with short wool. Up to 20 spines, dissimilar sizes from .5" (12mm) to 3" (8cm.), center spine barely differentiated.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers to 4.75" (12cm.), white with scales of ovary and tube subtending black hairs.
Distribution: From Coquimbo to Paposo, Chile.
Trichocereus courantii

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Dull green body, erectly columnar to 13.75" (35cm.) high, although old plants can be up to 5' (1.5m.) high; stems over 2.75" (7cm.) diameter, offsetting from the base.
Ribs: ~10
Areoles/Spines: 9-11 radial spines, finally to 20, faded yellow to brownish; 1-4 center spines, darker and thicker below.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower rose scented, to 9.5" (24cm.) long.
Distribution: Bahia Blanca/Rio Negro/Rio Colorado, Argentina.
Trichocereus cuzcoensis

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Densely branched body, erect to 20' (6m.), branches somewhat spreading, light green at first.
Ribs: 7-8, low and rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles up to .6" (1.5cm.) apart. Up to 12 very stout spines, yellow, thickened below and tapering to a fine point, to 2.75" (7cm.)
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, fragrant, to 5.5" (14cm.); flower tubes green to 2.5" (6cm.).
Distribution: Cuzco region, Peru.
Trichocereus deserticolus

- B76
Body: Branching from below, up to 5' (1.5m.).
Ribs: 8-10, deeply incised, .6" (1.5cm.) to 1" (2.5cm.) high, with distinct furrows above the areole. See T. fulvilanus.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles up to .6" (1.5cm.) apart, covered with dark, wooly felt. Radial spines irregular, 15-25 thin, tapering to a fine point, dark to gray; from 1-3 center spines to 4.75" (12cm.) long, sometimes rather curving.
Flowers/Fruit: Pure white flowers with dark wool outside to 3" (8cm.) long.
Distribution: Near Tatal, Chile.
Trichocereus escayachensis (=Helianthocereus escayachensis=Echinopsis escayachensis?)

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus fascicularis - BR63 = (aka Weberbauerocereus fascicularis - B76)

Body: Grows in large clusters made up of many slender, erect or ascending branches to 13' (4m.) high.
Ribs: ~16, low, rounded, separated by narrow intervals.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles closely set, filled with tawny felt. Numerous spines, at first yellowish to brown; radial spines needle-like, often only .4" (1cm.) long or less; central spines much stouter, to 1.5" (4cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Slender flowers to 4.25" (11cm.) long, somewhat curved near the base with short perianth-segments, differing from "typical" Trichocerei flowers. Fruit is yellowish to reddish, globular, to 1.5" (4cm.) diameter, splitting open on one side exposing the pulp.
Distribution: Mountains of southern Peru and northern Chile at about 7500' (2300m.).
Trichocereus formosus

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus fulvilanus

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Grass green to grayish green stems, branching from the base to 5' (1.5m.) tall; branches to 2.75" (7cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8-13, obtuse, notched across half the width.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles "shortly oval", to .5" (1.25cm.) with orange to reddish or yellowish felt at first, later brownish black (light brownish in seedlings, then becoming whitish from the base upwards). Spines dark brown at first, then graying. Nine to 12 radial spines, dissimilar sizes, mostly .6" (1.5cm.) to 1.2" (3cm.) long. Two to 4 (to 6) center spines, 1.2" to 4" (3-10cm.) long though up to 7" (18cm.) and stouter, later the upper spines are often finer.
Flowers/Fruit: Perfumed flowers, apical, to 4.75" (12cm.) long, to 3.5" (9cm.) diameter. Fruit is green, spherical to 1.5" (4cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Taltal/Chanaral to ElCobre, Chile. Nota bene: Backeberg regards this as nothing more than a form of T. deserticolus.
Trichocereus giganteus

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus glaucus

- B76
Body: Bush forming to 6.5' (2m.) with bluish then grayish green stems to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter branching from the base.
Ribs: 7-9, notched.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles to .3" (7.5mm.) large, gray, to .75" (2cm.) apart. Spines black, graying. Seven to 10 radial spines, stoutly needle-like, somewhat flattened, sometimes brown to .6" (1.5cm.) long. Central spines essentially erect, 3-6, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Perfumed white or delicate pink flowers to 7.5" (19cm.) long. Fruit grass green with white pulp, 1.6" (4cm.) large.
Distribution: Dept. Arequipa, along the lower Rio Tambo, on mountains and in the region of Ilo, Peru.
Subspecies: v. pendens: Stems hanging or inclined and ascending, from the coastal cliffs near Arica, Chile. Backeberg feels this may be a variety of T. uyupampensis that was orphaned from it's relatives in southern Peru.
Trichocereus grandiflorus - B76(=Helianthocereus grandiflorus?)

Body: Somewhat like T. camarguensis; slender, erect body with stems that are not as stout as T. spachianus.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines: Spines "concolorous yellowish," more or less equal. Center spines little projecting.
Flowers/Fruit: Large white flower to 6.75" (17cm.) large, 9" (23cm.) (!) diameter.
Distribution: Bolivia. Nota bene: May be T. lamprochlorus.
Trichocereus grandis

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus huanucoensis

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus huascha - BR63 (aka Helianthocereus huascha - B76)

/Agurell 69.2
Body: More or less cespitose, forming clumps to 6.5' (2m.) broad of cylindric stems to 2" (5cm.) diameter and 5.25' (1.6m.) high.
Ribs: 12-18, low, rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles approximate, only ~.25" (6mm.) apart. Numerous, unequal, needle-like spines up to 2.4" (6cm.) long, yellowish to brown.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers variable from red to yellow, broadly funnelform, to 4" (10cm.) long.
Distribution: Northern Argentina (Yacutala & Catamarca).
Trichocereus knuthianus

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Trunk to 10' (3m.), eventually tree-like. Branches to 4" (10cm.) diameter, frosted, brilliant light bluish-green.
Ribs: ~7, rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Large areole with much felt. Seven radial spines, 1 center spine to 4" (10cm.), soon becoming concolorous whitish-gray although tipped yellowish at first.
Flowers/Fruit: Large, white flower.
Distribution: Upper course of the Rio Marañon, Peru.
Trichocereus lamprochlorus

- H, B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Intense, glossy green body, erect and as robust as T. spachianus. Columnar, simple, branching at base, to 6.5' (2m.) high; 3.1" diameter.
Ribs: ~10-12 at first [up to 17], low and rounded.
Areoles/Spines: At first, 7 radial spines, increasing with age, to .4" (1cm.) long. At first 1 center spine, increasing to 4 to .7" (2cm.) long. Spines yellow below, brown above, later light colored.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers, from 6.1" (15.5cm.) to 9.5" (24cm.) large, 5.5" (14cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Eastern Bolivia/Northern Argentina.
Trichocereus litoralis

- B76
Body: Dark to grayish green, columnar, erect or arching over then erect. Stem to 4.75" (12cm.) diameter.
Ribs: Mostly 21, moderately prominent, more or less tuberculate.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles .4" (1cm.) apart. Spines honey colored at first, later gray; 9-20 thin radial spines tapering to a fine point; [1-]5-8 dissimilar, thicker center spines to over .75" (2cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Rather curving white flower, to 5.5" (14cm.) long, 4" (10cm.) diameter. Said to stay open for 5 days.
Distribution: Coast north of Valparaiso, Aconcagua, Chile.
Trichocereus lobivioides

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus sp. Lora Tora

Body: No description, listed in the Mesa Garden catalogue.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus longispinus

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus macrogonus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Stout (although it may be slender in cultivation) bluish green, particularly on young growth, to over 6.5' (2m.) high. Branches 2.75" (7cm.) diameter, more or less frosted at first.
Ribs: Usually 7, rounded, .6" (1.5cm.) high, separated by depressions over the areoles.
Areoles/Spines: Gray areoles, .6" (1.5cm.) to .75" (2cm.) apart. Horn colored to brown spines, later blackish or dark gray or grayish-brown. Six to 9 radial spines, tapering to a fine point, from .2" (.5cm) to .75" (2cm.) long. Central spines stouter, to about .75" (2cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers, to 7" (18cm.) long, broadly spherical.
Distribution: South America (not reported in the wild).
Trichocereus manguinii

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Dark grayish-green, erect, branching freely from below to 37.5" (95cm.) high with up to 4.3" (11cm.) diameter stems. Often confused with T. schickendantzii.
Ribs: 18-20
Areoles/Spines: Areoles slightly sunken. Spines brownish; ~11 radial spines; up to 5 central spines to .15" (4mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers very broad, white, to 6.25" (16cm.) long.
Distribution: Northeast Argentina or Paraguay?
Trichocereus neolamprochlorus

- B76
Body: Colony forming, branched from base to about 20" (50cm.) high. Starts glossy, light green, later more dirty green. Stems to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter. Often confused with T. lamprochlorus.
Ribs: 9-10, rounded with transverse depressions.
Areoles/Spines: Spines fine, stiff, pale yellow with reddish below; 15-18 with 4 stouter spines to .75" (2cm.) long recognizable as central spines.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 9.5" (24cm.) long, 6.2" (16cm.) diameter. Green oblong-spherical fruit, sparsely hairy.
Distribution: Northwest Argentina (Jujuy and Mendoza, Cordoba).
Trichocereus nigripilis

- B76
Body: Stems to 2.75" (7cm.) diameter, erect to prostrate and then ascending to 40" (1m.) tall.
Ribs: To ~12.
Areoles/Spines: Areole dark gray, .4" (1cm.) large. Spines gray, darker above, reddish when seen against the light. Approximately 12 radial spines to .4" (1.1cm.). Six lateral central spines to .6" (1.5cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower, ~2.5" long.
Distribution: Coquimbo, Chile.
Trichocereus pachanoi

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Numerous branches, more or less tree-like to 19.5' (6m.) high. Stems bluish-green, slightly frosted when young, dark green when older.
Ribs: [4-]6-8 with a deep, horizontal depression above the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Spines often wanting, from 3-7 dissimilar, dark yellow to brown to .75" (2cm.) long when present.
Flowers/Fruit: Very fragrant, night blooming white flowers to 9" (23cm.).
Distribution: From 6500-10,000' (2000-3000m.), Chanchan valley, Ecuador.
Trichocereus pasacana - H (B76, BR63=Helianthocereus pasacana?)

/Agurell 69.2
Body: More or less club-shaped, occasionally has a few branches from the base, from 3.2' (1m.) to 33' (10m.) high and 12" (30cm.) wide at the top. Spineless at base when older.
Ribs: 20-38 low, .75" (2cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, near to each other, sometimes touching. On young plants the spines are numerous, yellow, stiff, tapering to a fine point and variable size up to 5.5" (14cm.). On older, particularly flowering plants they are yellow or white, elongated, flexible, sometimes bristle-like from 4" (10cm.) to 4.75" (12cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers to 4" (10cm.) long. Fruit globular, about 1.2" diameter, said to be edible, called pasacana.
Distribution: High plains and valleys of Bolivia and northern Argentina.
Trichocereus peruvianus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2 /Pardanani 71
Body: Bluish-green, frosted stems, erect at first then arching over or even prostrate to 23' (7m.) long. Stems to 8" (20cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 6-8, broadly rounded with a "V"-shaped notch over the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, brown-felted to 1" (2.5cm.) apart. Spines brown from the first or honey-colored below, darker above; rigid and stout, not at all swollen at base. Six to 8 radial spines to .4" (1cm.), usually 1 center spine to 1.6" (4cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: Large, white flowers.
Distribution: Around 7000' (2100m.) near Matucana, Peru, on the western slope of the Andes .
Subspecies: Three varieties seem to be available commercially although they don't seem to be "official" subspecies. The comments below are my personal observations/opinions based on young, seed grown plants. v. "Ancash": Similar to a "KK242" but the "V"-notches are much subtler, often not visible at all. Presumably from the Ancash region northwest of Matucana. v. "Blue": Lighter in color ("bluer"), areoles seem further apart (i.e., where in a certain distance a "KK242" has 4 areoles, the "Blue" has only 3). v. KK242: Seems to fit the standard T. peruvianus ID.
Trichocereus poco (=Helianthocereus poco=Echinopsis tarijensis ref: CSSA?)

/Agurell 69.2
Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus pseudocandicans

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus puquiensis

- B76
Body: Bluish-green, erect to 13' (4m.) high, branches to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8-10
Areoles/Spines: Areole .4" (1cm.) large, surrounded by a swelling but not surmounted by a horizontal furrow. Chestnut-brown spines at first, to 10 radial spines up to .75" (2cm.) long; usually 2 central spines, one more erect to 4" (10cm.), the other directed downward, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers to 6" (15cm.).
Distribution: Above Puquio, Peru.
Trichocereus purpeominiata

Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus purpureopilosus

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Low, colony forming with branches from below, stems semi-prostrate and ascending. Dark leaf-green branches to 12.5" (32cm.) tall, to 2.5" diameter.
Ribs: 12, low.
Areoles/Spines: Spines light horned-colored, carmine and thickened below; up to 20 thin radial spines to .25" (7mm.) long, 4-5 cruciform central spines to .25" (7mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower with a pink sheen to 8.25" (21cm.).
Distribution: Sierra de Cordoba, Argentina.
Trichocereus randallii - (aka Helianthocereus randallii)

Body: According to Mesa Gardens catalogue it has "very dense fine spines, obscure stem"
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus riomizquensis

- B76
Body:
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus rubinghianus

- B76
Body: Erect, dark green to over 10' (3m.) high. Stem to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter.
Ribs: ~16-17, fairly low and narrow with transverse depressions present also on the flanks.
Areoles/Spines: Around 8 spines, most extend sideways and forwards, barely overtopping the rib. Some more central, more clearly porrect. Spines needle-like, ,yellowish to horn-colored.
Flowers/Fruit: Large, numerous flowers, slightly creamy to white. Fruit oblong, green, 2x1.6" (5x4cm.).
Distribution: Origin unknown, described specimen originally in the Faust collection at Blanes, Spain but no longer there.
Trichocereus santaensis

- B76
Body: Grayish-green, slightly frosted, to 16.5' (5m.), branches from the base to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 7, broad, flat with a "V"-notch over the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Two to 3 radial spines, brownish, to 1.2" (3cm.) long; usually 1 central spine to 1.6" (4cm.), also brownish.
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution: Around 10,000' (3000m.), Rio Santa valley/Puente Bedoya, Peru.
Trichocereus santiaguensis

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Tree-like with matte yellowish to pale green cylindric trunk to 23' (7m.) high, branches ascending, to 4" diameter.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines: Areoles white at first, to .6" (1.5cm.) apart. Spines slightly recurved, lowest ones to .4" (1cm.) long, upper ones to .2" (5mm.) long. One center spine to .75" (2cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: Unscented, white flower to 8" (20cm.) long.
Distribution: In woodlands near Icaño, Argentina.
Trichocereus schickendantzii

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Intense/dark green, branching freely from the base to form large colonies to 10" (25cm.) high. Branches curve upwards, to 2.4" (6cm.) diameter. Differentiated from T. manguinii by it's lower habit and lighter skin.
Ribs: 14-18, only .2" (5mm.) high with slight depressions between the areoles.
Areoles/Spines: Spines to .4" (1cm.), yellowish, flexible. Nine radial spines at first, more later. Two to 8 central spines.
Flowers/Fruit: White, funnelform, unscented flowers to 8.75" (22cm.) long with several blooming from the top of the plant. Edible fruit.
Distribution: Northwestern Argentina.
Trichocereus schoenii

- B76
Body: Grayish-green, branching irregularly from the base, to 13' (4m.). Branches to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 7
Areoles/Spines: Yellowish-gray areoles, .4" (1cm.) diameter, .75" (cm.) apart, surmounted by a "V"-notch. Spines leather-brown at first, later gray with leather-brown tips. Six to 8 dissimilar radial spines, upper ones to .6" (1.5cm.), lower ones to 2" (5cm.). One to 2 stout, porrect or downward directed central spines to 2.75" (7cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 6.25" (16cm.) long.
Distribution: Up to 12,800' (3900m.) in the valley of the Rio Majes, Chuquibamba, southern Peru.
Trichocereus scopulicolus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus shaferi

- B76, BR63
Body: Cylindric, light green, strongly branching, to 20" (50cm.) high. Branches to 5" (12.5cm.) diameter. Not to be confused with Echinopsis shaferi.
Ribs: About 14, to .6" (1.5cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles white felted when young, up to .25" (7mm.) apart. About 10 light yellow, needle-like spines, central spine not clearly distinguishable.
Flowers/Fruit: White, slender tubed flowers from the top of the plant to 7" (18cm.) long.
Distribution: About 6000' (1800m.), Salta, San Lorenzo, Argentina.
Trichocereus skottsbergii

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Grayish-green, branching from below to 6.5' (2m.) high. Branches to 5.5" (14cm.) diameter.
Ribs: To 14.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles grayish-black, .3" (8mm.) large. Radial spines, bristly, flexible, barely sharp, ~22-26 horn-colored to gray, to 2.5" (6.2cm.). Three more clearly recognizable central spines, light brown to gray, to 4.75" (12cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers to 4.75" (12cm.).
Distribution: Coast of Talinay, Coquimbo, Chile.
Subspecies: v. breviatus: To over 5.25' (1.6m.) high, branches to 4.75" (12cm.) diameter. Up to 16 ribs. Numerous (up to 40) spines, more or less hair-like in flowering areoles; 1-3 longest ones (to 2.4" 6cm.), hair-like ones to only .25" (6mm.) long. White flower, to 3.1" (8cm.) long. Also from Coquimbo, Chile.
Trichocereus smrzianus - B76, Backe. (aka Echinopsis smrzianus)

Body: Spherical at first, later cylindric to more than 6.2" (16cm.) high, becoming thicker, finally stoutly columnar with some individuals to 15.75" (40cm.) tall, more or less prostrate and then ascending, primarily fresh green at first, later more or less grayish-green to 8" diameter when older. Younger plants extremely variable in appearance.
Ribs: ~15.
Areoles/Spines: Spines variable, ~7-14 at first, irregularly arranged, all thin, sharp, radiating, needle-like to finer; from whitish to deep golden-brown, sometimes flecked or dark below.
Flowers/Fruit: White, to 4.75" (12cm.) long, 4.75" (12cm.) diameter, petals in several series.
Distribution: Northern Argentina.
Trichocereus spachianoides

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus spachianus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2 /Pummangura 82
Body: Stem upright, at first simple, columnar, later profusely branching from below (to 2.4" (6cm.) diameter) ascending parallel with the main stem, to 6.5' (2m.) high.
Ribs: 10-15, rounded, fairly low.
Areoles/Spines: Large areoles, yellowish at first, later white, about .4" (1cm.) apart. Spines amber-yellow to brownish, becoming gray; 8-10 radial spines, needle-like, stiff, sharp, to .4" (1cm.); single, stouter central spine, longer than the radials (may have up to 3).
Flowers/Fruit: White flower, to 8" (20cm.) long, 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Western Argentina.
Trichocereus strigosus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71 / Nieto 82
Body: Forms large colonies up to 6.5' (2m.) broad, branches usually simple, erect or ascending to 24" (60cm.) high, 2.4" (6cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 15-18, very low (to .2" (5mm.) high), obtuse.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles circular, rather large, .3" (8mm.) apart with dense white wool when young. Spines barely differentiated into radial and central spines, needle-like, variable in color from white through yellow to pink, reddish-brown or black, numerous, to 2" (5cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower, white to delicate pink, funnelform, to 8" (20cm.) long. Backeberg feels the ones with a lilac-pink flower should be described as v. roseoalbus.
Distribution: Western Argentina.
Trichocereus tacaquirensis

- B76
Body: Mostly branching from the base to 8.2' (2.5m.) tall. Branches fairly crowded, steeply ascending.
Ribs: Variable in number, .75" (2cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, round, white-felty. Spines more or less bristle-like, especially at first, more or less interlacing, flexible, barely differentiated between radial and central spines, those in the crown erect, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower, to 8" (20cm.) long.
Distribution: Tacaquira, Bolivia.
Trichocereus taquimbalensis

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Simple or branching from below or from the flank (if damaged?) to 8.2' (2.m.) high. Branches robust, dark green, to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 9
Areoles/Spines: Areoles whitish, .4" (1cm.) diameter, .6" (1.5cm.) apart. Spines thickened below, light brown at first, then gray. Eight to 13 radial spines, tapering to a fine point to .75" (2cm.) long. One stout central spine, porrect or directed downwards to 2.4" (6cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers to 9" (23cm.) long. Dark green fruit, 1.6" (4cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Cochabamba, Taquimbala, Bolivia.
Subspecies: v. wilkeae: Radial spines to 1" (2.5cm.) long, partially stout, tapering to a fine point, curving, sometimes more or less hooked. Four thick, tapering to a fine point central spines, sometimes compressed, much thickened below. Sometimes all the spines are dark at the base and the tip. From Tupiza, Bolivia.
Trichocereus tarijensis

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
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Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus tarmaensis

- B76
Body: Dark green, branching from the base to 6.5' (2m.), branches around 4" (10cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8, to .75" broad, rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles gray, .3" (8mm.) large, appearing more sunken above (i.e., with a shallow, obliquely transverse depression). Spines horn colored at first, later gray. Two to 5 radial spines to 1.2" (3cm.) long, usually 1 central spine, projecting horizontally, to 4" (10cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower. Fruit to 1.6" (4cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Tarma, Peru.
Trichocereus tenuispinus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Subspecies: v. pajanalensis: No description.
Trichocereus terscheckii

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2 /Reti 51
Body: At first columnar with an intense green, woody trunk up to 17.75" (45cm.) diameter, to 40' (12m.) tall. When older becomes branched with parallel, ascending branches to 8" (20cm.) diameter. Often confused with T. pasacana but is more branched, fewer ribs, different spines and larger flowers.
Ribs: 8-14, prominent, obtuse, to 1.6" (4cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles felted, to .6" (1.5cm.) diameter, to 1.2" (3cm.) apart. Spines yellow, 8-15, tapering to a fine point, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Large flowers to 8" (20cm.) long, 4.75" (12cm.) broad.
Distribution: Northern Argentina.
Subspecies: v. montanus: Branches lighter green, obliquely ascending.
Trichocereus terscheckioides

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus thelegonoides

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Thick, cylindric trunk to 20' (6m.) high, 7" (18cm.) diameter. More or less branched from above, branches more or less curved, ascending, obtuse at apex, to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 15, low, rounded, strongly tuberculate at first because of the transverse depressions between the areoles but gradually disappearing with age.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles, small, circular, felted. Eight to 10 yellow or brownish, bristly spines, to .3" (8mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower white, greenish outside to 9.5 (24cm.) long.
Distribution: On dry hills, Jujuy, Northern Argentina.
Trichocereus thelegonus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Dark green, prostrate, sometimes with erect branches to over 6.5' (2m.) long, to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 12-13, broad, rounded, divided into distinctly 6 sided tubercles.
Areoles/Spines: Circular, felted areoles. Spines brown at first, then gray, sometimes darker to blackish, sometimes yellowish. Six to 8 needle-like, more or less spreading radial spines to .8" (2cm.) long. One porrect center spine to 1.6" (4cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 8" (20cm.) long.
Distribution: Northwestern Argentina.
Trichocereus totorensis

- B76
Body: According to the Mesa Garden catalogue, "KK1368 'bertramiana', huge hairy white" flower.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus totorillanus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution: Bolivia.
Trichocereus trichosus

- B76
Body: Grayish or bluish green, simple, columnar, more or less "clavate", to only 3.2' (1m.) high.
Ribs: 9, broad, rather obtuse, to .75" high.
Areoles/Spines: Triangular, gray areoles to .75" (2cm.) broad, 2" (5cm.) apart (surmounted by a depression?). Spines gray, brown-tipped, thickened below, tapering to a fine point. Four to 6 radial spines to 1.4" (3.5cm.) long. One projecting central spine to 2.75" (7cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 9" (23cm.) long.
Distribution: On the road between Lagunillas and Santa Cruz, Bolivia at about 2000' (600m.).
Trichocereus tulhuayacensis

- B76
Body: Dark green trunk to 6.5' (2m.) high, branches to 4.75" (12cm.) diameter from low on the body.
Ribs: 7-9, to .4" (1cm.) high, 1.4" broad.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles to .3" (8mm.), yellowish at first, then gray, surmounted by a curving depression, prominences sometimes reddish. Spines mostly directed downwards, longest one more porrect, whitish-gray, otherwise yellowish at first, dark-tipped. Eight radial spines to 1" (2.5cm.) long, 3-4 central spines from 2.1" (5.5cm.) to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers fairly large, stoutly funnelform, light pink, ivory-white towards the throat. Dark green fruit to 1.75" (4.5cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Near Huachac, Peru, around 11,000' (3400m.).
Trichocereus tunariensis

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Pale green, shrubby to 10' (3m.) high. Branches from below to 4.75" diameter at base.
Ribs: 16-21, to .6" (1.5cm.) high, to .7" (1.7cm.) broad.
Areoles/Spines: Gray areoles to .2" (6mm.) diameter, .4" (1cm.) apart. Yellowish spines barely distinguishable between radial and central spines, about 17 needle-like, flexible with the longest ones directed downwards, to 2.4" (6cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: Flower white, to 6.75" ( 17cm.) long. Edible, dark green fruit to 1.6" (4cm.) long, 2" diameter.
Distribution: Between Yurac kkasa and San Miguel, Bolivia at about 12,500' (3800cm.).
Trichocereus uyupampensis

- B76
Body: Prostrate to hanging to 6.5' (2m.) long, branches about 1.4" diameter.
Ribs: 9, flat, narrow, slightly raised around the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Small, light brown areole. Eight to 10 spines, fine, irregularly directed, pointing up and down, darker, to .25" (6mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower, white with reddish outside, to 6.3" (16cm.) long.
Distribution: Uyupampa, Southern Peru at about 10,000' (3000m.) altitude.
Trichocereus validus (aka Echinopsis valida)

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Known primarily as stout, erect green columns although it may become tree-like. Stems to 13.75" (35cm.) diameter.
Ribs: about 10.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles fairly large above, to 1.2" (3cm.) apart. Spines pale yellow, sometimes darker above, few or weak at the apex, developing later in the lower half of the areole. Seven to 10 radial spines to 1.3" (3.2cm.) long with the bottom one the longest; 1-2 central spines to 2.75" (7cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 5.5" (14cm.) long. Fruit ovoid, wooly.
Distribution: South East Bolivia.
Trichocereus vasquezii

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus vollianus

- B76
Body: Glossy, light green, erectly shrubby, branching from the base; branches to 4" (10cm.) diameter.
Ribs: about 13, rounded to .25" (7mm.) broad, .2" (5mm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles to 1" (2.5cm.) apart. Spines amber colored, 8-11 thin, sharp, radial spines, to .25" (7mm.) long; 1 central spine to 1" (2.5cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 4.75" (12cm.) long. Fruit oblong and hairy.
Distribution: Arque-Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Subspecies: v. rubrispinus: Spines reddish-brown. Resembles T. spachianus but glossy and with opener spination.
Trichocereus vulcanenisis

- H
Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus werdermannianus

- B76 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Forming a large tree to over 16.5' (5m.) high, with a trunk to 3.3' (1m.) high and 16" (40cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 10 at first, later 14 or more, to .75" (2cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles 1" (2.5cm.) apart. On new growth about 10 spines, central spine barely differentiated, to 2.75" (7cm.) long. Later growth increasing in number. All spines yellowish, horn-colored or brownish. Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 8" (20cm.) long. Fruit to 1.4" (3.5cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Southern Bolivia.

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Characteristics of Trichocereus Species

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A physical description for each common Trichocereus

The Species Descriptions:

Trichocereus andalgalensis

Body: Described in the Cactus and Succulent Journal (US), Vol. 70, No. 1:32-39, James D. Mauseth & Roberto Kiesling.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus angelesii

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus arboricola

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus atacamensis - (Helianthocereus atacamensis?)

Body: Ref: http://iluvatar.scc....AS/Chile16.html
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Trichocereus bridgesii

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Forms a tall branching shrub, to 16' (5 m.) high. Pale green, partially frosted. Branches to 6" (15cm.). Not to be confused with Echinopsis bridgesii.
Ribs: 4-8, rounded, later flatter; separated by broad but shallow intervals.
Areoles/Spines: Large areoles, about .75" (2cm.) apart. Two to 6 dissimilar, yellowish spines, up to 4" (10cm.) long although shorter in cultivated plants.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, 7" (18cm.) long, flower-tube up to 2.4" (6cm.) long. Fruits oblong, 2.4" (6cm.) large.
Distribution: La Paz, Bolivia
Trichocereus bruchii

Body:
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Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus cajasensis

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus camarguensis

- B76 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Columnar, light green to 20" (50cm.) high. Branches curving, ascending. Apparently closely resembles T. strigosus.
Ribs: 14, very low.
Areoles/Spines: 12-13 radial spines to 1.2" (3cm.); 2-3 central spines to 2" (5cm.); spines needle-like, yellow or ash colored.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, to 8" (20cm.) large. Fruit spherical or ovoid, .75" (2cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Cinti (near Camargo), Bolivia.
Trichocereus candicans

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Erect or upcurving, yellowish-green up to 30" (75cm.) large. Forms colonies up to 10' (3m.) wide.
Ribs: 9-11, broad, low and rounded or obtuse.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, white felted when young, .75-1.2" (2-3cm.) apart. 10-12 radial spines, unequal size to 1.5" (4cm.); 4 central spines, longest 4" (10cm.). Spines taper to a fine point, brownish yellow, more or less mottled.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are large, funnelform, to 8" (20cm.), white and strongly perfumed. Fruit is ellipsoid-spherical, splitting on one side.
Distribution: Northern Argentina (around Mendoza).
Subspecies: v. gladiatus: bluish to pale green, to 25.5" (65cm.) high with very little branching. Up to 13 radial spines to 2", 1-4 central spines. Spines yellow, often banded red or red below, sometimes twisted. v. tenuispinus: intense bluish-green, less freely branching up to 33.5" (85cm.) high. Spines faded yellow, brownish-red below, all thin and rather short.
Trichocereus cephalomacrostibas

- B76
Body: Grayish green, in dense groups to 6.5' (2m.) high, stems to 4" (10cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8, broad, thickened around the areoles and divided by transverse furrows.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles .6" (1.5cm.) large, thickly brown felted; prominent, very crowded at the apex. Around 20 radial spines, very short, tapering to a point; 1-4 center spines to 4.75" (12cm.); dark brown at first, later faded gray, sometimes angular and channeled, rather curving and variously projecting, interlacing in part.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, to 4.75" (12cm.), ~4" (10cm.) diameter. Fruit reddish or yellowish-orange, oblong/spherical.
Distribution: Above Mollendo, Southern Peru.
Trichocereus chalaensis

- B76
Body: Erect branches to 13' (4m.) high, branches swelling during the foggy season to 6" (15cm.).
Ribs: 8, with a transverse furrow above the areole and a plane surface above and below.
Areoles/Spines: 6 to 10 radial spines to .4" (1cm.), 2-3 center spines to 2" (5cm.) long; dark brown at first or blackish above.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, to 6.75" (17cm.) long.
Distribution: South of Chala, Southern Peru.
Trichocereus chilensis (aka Trichocereus chiloensis)

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Columnar , usually with several stout branches arising from near the base, from 10' (3m.) to 26' (8m.) high. Occasionally confused with T. litoralis.
Ribs: 16-17, low and broad, separated by narrow intervals, divided into large tubercules when fully mature.
Areoles/Spines: 8 to 12 radial spines up to 1.5" (4cm.), a single center spine from 1.5" to 2.75" (4-7cm.) although up to 4.75" (12cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, tinged with red or brown, to 5.5" (14cm.). Fruit is spherical.
Distribution: Central Valley of Chile, from Curico to Puenta Colorado.
Subspecies: v. eburneus: Body is stouter, spines brownish at first, soon becoming ivory-white, flowers pink or suffused pink.
Trichocereus chuquisancanus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Trichocereus coquimbanus

- B76, BR63
Body: Prostrate or decumbent to 4' (1.2m.) high forming dense thickets, stems to 4" (10cm.) diameter
Ribs: 12-14.
Areoles/Spines: Large, round, filled with short wool. Up to 20 spines, dissimilar sizes from .5" (12mm) to 3" (8cm.), center spine barely differentiated.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers to 4.75" (12cm.), white with scales of ovary and tube subtending black hairs.
Distribution: From Coquimbo to Paposo, Chile.
Trichocereus courantii

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Dull green body, erectly columnar to 13.75" (35cm.) high, although old plants can be up to 5' (1.5m.) high; stems over 2.75" (7cm.) diameter, offsetting from the base.
Ribs: ~10
Areoles/Spines: 9-11 radial spines, finally to 20, faded yellow to brownish; 1-4 center spines, darker and thicker below.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower rose scented, to 9.5" (24cm.) long.
Distribution: Bahia Blanca/Rio Negro/Rio Colorado, Argentina.
Trichocereus cuzcoensis

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Densely branched body, erect to 20' (6m.), branches somewhat spreading, light green at first.
Ribs: 7-8, low and rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles up to .6" (1.5cm.) apart. Up to 12 very stout spines, yellow, thickened below and tapering to a fine point, to 2.75" (7cm.)
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers white, fragrant, to 5.5" (14cm.); flower tubes green to 2.5" (6cm.).
Distribution: Cuzco region, Peru.
Trichocereus deserticolus

- B76
Body: Branching from below, up to 5' (1.5m.).
Ribs: 8-10, deeply incised, .6" (1.5cm.) to 1" (2.5cm.) high, with distinct furrows above the areole. See T. fulvilanus.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles up to .6" (1.5cm.) apart, covered with dark, wooly felt. Radial spines irregular, 15-25 thin, tapering to a fine point, dark to gray; from 1-3 center spines to 4.75" (12cm.) long, sometimes rather curving.
Flowers/Fruit: Pure white flowers with dark wool outside to 3" (8cm.) long.
Distribution: Near Tatal, Chile.
Trichocereus escayachensis (=Helianthocereus escayachensis=Echinopsis escayachensis?)

Body:
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Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus fascicularis - BR63 = (aka Weberbauerocereus fascicularis - B76)

Body: Grows in large clusters made up of many slender, erect or ascending branches to 13' (4m.) high.
Ribs: ~16, low, rounded, separated by narrow intervals.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles closely set, filled with tawny felt. Numerous spines, at first yellowish to brown; radial spines needle-like, often only .4" (1cm.) long or less; central spines much stouter, to 1.5" (4cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Slender flowers to 4.25" (11cm.) long, somewhat curved near the base with short perianth-segments, differing from "typical" Trichocerei flowers. Fruit is yellowish to reddish, globular, to 1.5" (4cm.) diameter, splitting open on one side exposing the pulp.
Distribution: Mountains of southern Peru and northern Chile at about 7500' (2300m.).
Trichocereus formosus

Body:
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Distribution:
Trichocereus fulvilanus

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Grass green to grayish green stems, branching from the base to 5' (1.5m.) tall; branches to 2.75" (7cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8-13, obtuse, notched across half the width.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles "shortly oval", to .5" (1.25cm.) with orange to reddish or yellowish felt at first, later brownish black (light brownish in seedlings, then becoming whitish from the base upwards). Spines dark brown at first, then graying. Nine to 12 radial spines, dissimilar sizes, mostly .6" (1.5cm.) to 1.2" (3cm.) long. Two to 4 (to 6) center spines, 1.2" to 4" (3-10cm.) long though up to 7" (18cm.) and stouter, later the upper spines are often finer.
Flowers/Fruit: Perfumed flowers, apical, to 4.75" (12cm.) long, to 3.5" (9cm.) diameter. Fruit is green, spherical to 1.5" (4cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Taltal/Chanaral to ElCobre, Chile. Nota bene: Backeberg regards this as nothing more than a form of T. deserticolus.
Trichocereus giganteus

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Trichocereus glaucus

- B76
Body: Bush forming to 6.5' (2m.) with bluish then grayish green stems to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter branching from the base.
Ribs: 7-9, notched.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles to .3" (7.5mm.) large, gray, to .75" (2cm.) apart. Spines black, graying. Seven to 10 radial spines, stoutly needle-like, somewhat flattened, sometimes brown to .6" (1.5cm.) long. Central spines essentially erect, 3-6, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Perfumed white or delicate pink flowers to 7.5" (19cm.) long. Fruit grass green with white pulp, 1.6" (4cm.) large.
Distribution: Dept. Arequipa, along the lower Rio Tambo, on mountains and in the region of Ilo, Peru.
Subspecies: v. pendens: Stems hanging or inclined and ascending, from the coastal cliffs near Arica, Chile. Backeberg feels this may be a variety of T. uyupampensis that was orphaned from it's relatives in southern Peru.
Trichocereus grandiflorus - B76(=Helianthocereus grandiflorus?)

Body: Somewhat like T. camarguensis; slender, erect body with stems that are not as stout as T. spachianus.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines: Spines "concolorous yellowish," more or less equal. Center spines little projecting.
Flowers/Fruit: Large white flower to 6.75" (17cm.) large, 9" (23cm.) (!) diameter.
Distribution: Bolivia. Nota bene: May be T. lamprochlorus.
Trichocereus grandis

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Trichocereus huanucoensis

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
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Trichocereus huascha - BR63 (aka Helianthocereus huascha - B76)

/Agurell 69.2
Body: More or less cespitose, forming clumps to 6.5' (2m.) broad of cylindric stems to 2" (5cm.) diameter and 5.25' (1.6m.) high.
Ribs: 12-18, low, rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles approximate, only ~.25" (6mm.) apart. Numerous, unequal, needle-like spines up to 2.4" (6cm.) long, yellowish to brown.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers variable from red to yellow, broadly funnelform, to 4" (10cm.) long.
Distribution: Northern Argentina (Yacutala & Catamarca).
Trichocereus knuthianus

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Trunk to 10' (3m.), eventually tree-like. Branches to 4" (10cm.) diameter, frosted, brilliant light bluish-green.
Ribs: ~7, rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Large areole with much felt. Seven radial spines, 1 center spine to 4" (10cm.), soon becoming concolorous whitish-gray although tipped yellowish at first.
Flowers/Fruit: Large, white flower.
Distribution: Upper course of the Rio Marañon, Peru.
Trichocereus lamprochlorus

- H, B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Intense, glossy green body, erect and as robust as T. spachianus. Columnar, simple, branching at base, to 6.5' (2m.) high; 3.1" diameter.
Ribs: ~10-12 at first [up to 17], low and rounded.
Areoles/Spines: At first, 7 radial spines, increasing with age, to .4" (1cm.) long. At first 1 center spine, increasing to 4 to .7" (2cm.) long. Spines yellow below, brown above, later light colored.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers, from 6.1" (15.5cm.) to 9.5" (24cm.) large, 5.5" (14cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Eastern Bolivia/Northern Argentina.
Trichocereus litoralis

- B76
Body: Dark to grayish green, columnar, erect or arching over then erect. Stem to 4.75" (12cm.) diameter.
Ribs: Mostly 21, moderately prominent, more or less tuberculate.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles .4" (1cm.) apart. Spines honey colored at first, later gray; 9-20 thin radial spines tapering to a fine point; [1-]5-8 dissimilar, thicker center spines to over .75" (2cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Rather curving white flower, to 5.5" (14cm.) long, 4" (10cm.) diameter. Said to stay open for 5 days.
Distribution: Coast north of Valparaiso, Aconcagua, Chile.
Trichocereus lobivioides

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Trichocereus sp. Lora Tora

Body: No description, listed in the Mesa Garden catalogue.
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Distribution:
Trichocereus longispinus

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Trichocereus macrogonus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Stout (although it may be slender in cultivation) bluish green, particularly on young growth, to over 6.5' (2m.) high. Branches 2.75" (7cm.) diameter, more or less frosted at first.
Ribs: Usually 7, rounded, .6" (1.5cm.) high, separated by depressions over the areoles.
Areoles/Spines: Gray areoles, .6" (1.5cm.) to .75" (2cm.) apart. Horn colored to brown spines, later blackish or dark gray or grayish-brown. Six to 9 radial spines, tapering to a fine point, from .2" (.5cm) to .75" (2cm.) long. Central spines stouter, to about .75" (2cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers, to 7" (18cm.) long, broadly spherical.
Distribution: South America (not reported in the wild).
Trichocereus manguinii

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Dark grayish-green, erect, branching freely from below to 37.5" (95cm.) high with up to 4.3" (11cm.) diameter stems. Often confused with T. schickendantzii.
Ribs: 18-20
Areoles/Spines: Areoles slightly sunken. Spines brownish; ~11 radial spines; up to 5 central spines to .15" (4mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers very broad, white, to 6.25" (16cm.) long.
Distribution: Northeast Argentina or Paraguay?
Trichocereus neolamprochlorus

- B76
Body: Colony forming, branched from base to about 20" (50cm.) high. Starts glossy, light green, later more dirty green. Stems to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter. Often confused with T. lamprochlorus.
Ribs: 9-10, rounded with transverse depressions.
Areoles/Spines: Spines fine, stiff, pale yellow with reddish below; 15-18 with 4 stouter spines to .75" (2cm.) long recognizable as central spines.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 9.5" (24cm.) long, 6.2" (16cm.) diameter. Green oblong-spherical fruit, sparsely hairy.
Distribution: Northwest Argentina (Jujuy and Mendoza, Cordoba).
Trichocereus nigripilis

- B76
Body: Stems to 2.75" (7cm.) diameter, erect to prostrate and then ascending to 40" (1m.) tall.
Ribs: To ~12.
Areoles/Spines: Areole dark gray, .4" (1cm.) large. Spines gray, darker above, reddish when seen against the light. Approximately 12 radial spines to .4" (1.1cm.). Six lateral central spines to .6" (1.5cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower, ~2.5" long.
Distribution: Coquimbo, Chile.
Trichocereus pachanoi

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Numerous branches, more or less tree-like to 19.5' (6m.) high. Stems bluish-green, slightly frosted when young, dark green when older.
Ribs: [4-]6-8 with a deep, horizontal depression above the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Spines often wanting, from 3-7 dissimilar, dark yellow to brown to .75" (2cm.) long when present.
Flowers/Fruit: Very fragrant, night blooming white flowers to 9" (23cm.).
Distribution: From 6500-10,000' (2000-3000m.), Chanchan valley, Ecuador.
Trichocereus pasacana - H (B76, BR63=Helianthocereus pasacana?)

/Agurell 69.2
Body: More or less club-shaped, occasionally has a few branches from the base, from 3.2' (1m.) to 33' (10m.) high and 12" (30cm.) wide at the top. Spineless at base when older.
Ribs: 20-38 low, .75" (2cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, near to each other, sometimes touching. On young plants the spines are numerous, yellow, stiff, tapering to a fine point and variable size up to 5.5" (14cm.). On older, particularly flowering plants they are yellow or white, elongated, flexible, sometimes bristle-like from 4" (10cm.) to 4.75" (12cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers to 4" (10cm.) long. Fruit globular, about 1.2" diameter, said to be edible, called pasacana.
Distribution: High plains and valleys of Bolivia and northern Argentina.
Trichocereus peruvianus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2 /Pardanani 71
Body: Bluish-green, frosted stems, erect at first then arching over or even prostrate to 23' (7m.) long. Stems to 8" (20cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 6-8, broadly rounded with a "V"-shaped notch over the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, brown-felted to 1" (2.5cm.) apart. Spines brown from the first or honey-colored below, darker above; rigid and stout, not at all swollen at base. Six to 8 radial spines to .4" (1cm.), usually 1 center spine to 1.6" (4cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: Large, white flowers.
Distribution: Around 7000' (2100m.) near Matucana, Peru, on the western slope of the Andes .
Subspecies: Three varieties seem to be available commercially although they don't seem to be "official" subspecies. The comments below are my personal observations/opinions based on young, seed grown plants. v. "Ancash": Similar to a "KK242" but the "V"-notches are much subtler, often not visible at all. Presumably from the Ancash region northwest of Matucana. v. "Blue": Lighter in color ("bluer"), areoles seem further apart (i.e., where in a certain distance a "KK242" has 4 areoles, the "Blue" has only 3). v. KK242: Seems to fit the standard T. peruvianus ID.
Trichocereus poco (=Helianthocereus poco=Echinopsis tarijensis ref: CSSA?)

/Agurell 69.2
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Trichocereus pseudocandicans

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Trichocereus puquiensis

- B76
Body: Bluish-green, erect to 13' (4m.) high, branches to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8-10
Areoles/Spines: Areole .4" (1cm.) large, surrounded by a swelling but not surmounted by a horizontal furrow. Chestnut-brown spines at first, to 10 radial spines up to .75" (2cm.) long; usually 2 central spines, one more erect to 4" (10cm.), the other directed downward, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers to 6" (15cm.).
Distribution: Above Puquio, Peru.
Trichocereus purpeominiata

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Trichocereus purpureopilosus

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Low, colony forming with branches from below, stems semi-prostrate and ascending. Dark leaf-green branches to 12.5" (32cm.) tall, to 2.5" diameter.
Ribs: 12, low.
Areoles/Spines: Spines light horned-colored, carmine and thickened below; up to 20 thin radial spines to .25" (7mm.) long, 4-5 cruciform central spines to .25" (7mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower with a pink sheen to 8.25" (21cm.).
Distribution: Sierra de Cordoba, Argentina.
Trichocereus randallii - (aka Helianthocereus randallii)

Body: According to Mesa Gardens catalogue it has "very dense fine spines, obscure stem"
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Distribution:
Trichocereus riomizquensis

- B76
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Trichocereus rubinghianus

- B76
Body: Erect, dark green to over 10' (3m.) high. Stem to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter.
Ribs: ~16-17, fairly low and narrow with transverse depressions present also on the flanks.
Areoles/Spines: Around 8 spines, most extend sideways and forwards, barely overtopping the rib. Some more central, more clearly porrect. Spines needle-like, ,yellowish to horn-colored.
Flowers/Fruit: Large, numerous flowers, slightly creamy to white. Fruit oblong, green, 2x1.6" (5x4cm.).
Distribution: Origin unknown, described specimen originally in the Faust collection at Blanes, Spain but no longer there.
Trichocereus santaensis

- B76
Body: Grayish-green, slightly frosted, to 16.5' (5m.), branches from the base to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 7, broad, flat with a "V"-notch over the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Two to 3 radial spines, brownish, to 1.2" (3cm.) long; usually 1 central spine to 1.6" (4cm.), also brownish.
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution: Around 10,000' (3000m.), Rio Santa valley/Puente Bedoya, Peru.
Trichocereus santiaguensis

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Tree-like with matte yellowish to pale green cylindric trunk to 23' (7m.) high, branches ascending, to 4" diameter.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines: Areoles white at first, to .6" (1.5cm.) apart. Spines slightly recurved, lowest ones to .4" (1cm.) long, upper ones to .2" (5mm.) long. One center spine to .75" (2cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: Unscented, white flower to 8" (20cm.) long.
Distribution: In woodlands near Icaño, Argentina.
Trichocereus schickendantzii

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Intense/dark green, branching freely from the base to form large colonies to 10" (25cm.) high. Branches curve upwards, to 2.4" (6cm.) diameter. Differentiated from T. manguinii by it's lower habit and lighter skin.
Ribs: 14-18, only .2" (5mm.) high with slight depressions between the areoles.
Areoles/Spines: Spines to .4" (1cm.), yellowish, flexible. Nine radial spines at first, more later. Two to 8 central spines.
Flowers/Fruit: White, funnelform, unscented flowers to 8.75" (22cm.) long with several blooming from the top of the plant. Edible fruit.
Distribution: Northwestern Argentina.
Trichocereus schoenii

- B76
Body: Grayish-green, branching irregularly from the base, to 13' (4m.). Branches to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 7
Areoles/Spines: Yellowish-gray areoles, .4" (1cm.) diameter, .75" (cm.) apart, surmounted by a "V"-notch. Spines leather-brown at first, later gray with leather-brown tips. Six to 8 dissimilar radial spines, upper ones to .6" (1.5cm.), lower ones to 2" (5cm.). One to 2 stout, porrect or downward directed central spines to 2.75" (7cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 6.25" (16cm.) long.
Distribution: Up to 12,800' (3900m.) in the valley of the Rio Majes, Chuquibamba, southern Peru.
Trichocereus scopulicolus

- B76
Body: No description.
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Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus shaferi

- B76, BR63
Body: Cylindric, light green, strongly branching, to 20" (50cm.) high. Branches to 5" (12.5cm.) diameter. Not to be confused with Echinopsis shaferi.
Ribs: About 14, to .6" (1.5cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles white felted when young, up to .25" (7mm.) apart. About 10 light yellow, needle-like spines, central spine not clearly distinguishable.
Flowers/Fruit: White, slender tubed flowers from the top of the plant to 7" (18cm.) long.
Distribution: About 6000' (1800m.), Salta, San Lorenzo, Argentina.
Trichocereus skottsbergii

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Grayish-green, branching from below to 6.5' (2m.) high. Branches to 5.5" (14cm.) diameter.
Ribs: To 14.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles grayish-black, .3" (8mm.) large. Radial spines, bristly, flexible, barely sharp, ~22-26 horn-colored to gray, to 2.5" (6.2cm.). Three more clearly recognizable central spines, light brown to gray, to 4.75" (12cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers to 4.75" (12cm.).
Distribution: Coast of Talinay, Coquimbo, Chile.
Subspecies: v. breviatus: To over 5.25' (1.6m.) high, branches to 4.75" (12cm.) diameter. Up to 16 ribs. Numerous (up to 40) spines, more or less hair-like in flowering areoles; 1-3 longest ones (to 2.4" 6cm.), hair-like ones to only .25" (6mm.) long. White flower, to 3.1" (8cm.) long. Also from Coquimbo, Chile.
Trichocereus smrzianus - B76, Backe. (aka Echinopsis smrzianus)

Body: Spherical at first, later cylindric to more than 6.2" (16cm.) high, becoming thicker, finally stoutly columnar with some individuals to 15.75" (40cm.) tall, more or less prostrate and then ascending, primarily fresh green at first, later more or less grayish-green to 8" diameter when older. Younger plants extremely variable in appearance.
Ribs: ~15.
Areoles/Spines: Spines variable, ~7-14 at first, irregularly arranged, all thin, sharp, radiating, needle-like to finer; from whitish to deep golden-brown, sometimes flecked or dark below.
Flowers/Fruit: White, to 4.75" (12cm.) long, 4.75" (12cm.) diameter, petals in several series.
Distribution: Northern Argentina.
Trichocereus spachianoides

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
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Distribution:
Trichocereus spachianus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2 /Pummangura 82
Body: Stem upright, at first simple, columnar, later profusely branching from below (to 2.4" (6cm.) diameter) ascending parallel with the main stem, to 6.5' (2m.) high.
Ribs: 10-15, rounded, fairly low.
Areoles/Spines: Large areoles, yellowish at first, later white, about .4" (1cm.) apart. Spines amber-yellow to brownish, becoming gray; 8-10 radial spines, needle-like, stiff, sharp, to .4" (1cm.); single, stouter central spine, longer than the radials (may have up to 3).
Flowers/Fruit: White flower, to 8" (20cm.) long, 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Western Argentina.
Trichocereus strigosus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71 / Nieto 82
Body: Forms large colonies up to 6.5' (2m.) broad, branches usually simple, erect or ascending to 24" (60cm.) high, 2.4" (6cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 15-18, very low (to .2" (5mm.) high), obtuse.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles circular, rather large, .3" (8mm.) apart with dense white wool when young. Spines barely differentiated into radial and central spines, needle-like, variable in color from white through yellow to pink, reddish-brown or black, numerous, to 2" (5cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower, white to delicate pink, funnelform, to 8" (20cm.) long. Backeberg feels the ones with a lilac-pink flower should be described as v. roseoalbus.
Distribution: Western Argentina.
Trichocereus tacaquirensis

- B76
Body: Mostly branching from the base to 8.2' (2.5m.) tall. Branches fairly crowded, steeply ascending.
Ribs: Variable in number, .75" (2cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles large, round, white-felty. Spines more or less bristle-like, especially at first, more or less interlacing, flexible, barely differentiated between radial and central spines, those in the crown erect, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower, to 8" (20cm.) long.
Distribution: Tacaquira, Bolivia.
Trichocereus taquimbalensis

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Simple or branching from below or from the flank (if damaged?) to 8.2' (2.m.) high. Branches robust, dark green, to 6" (15cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 9
Areoles/Spines: Areoles whitish, .4" (1cm.) diameter, .6" (1.5cm.) apart. Spines thickened below, light brown at first, then gray. Eight to 13 radial spines, tapering to a fine point to .75" (2cm.) long. One stout central spine, porrect or directed downwards to 2.4" (6cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flowers to 9" (23cm.) long. Dark green fruit, 1.6" (4cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Cochabamba, Taquimbala, Bolivia.
Subspecies: v. wilkeae: Radial spines to 1" (2.5cm.) long, partially stout, tapering to a fine point, curving, sometimes more or less hooked. Four thick, tapering to a fine point central spines, sometimes compressed, much thickened below. Sometimes all the spines are dark at the base and the tip. From Tupiza, Bolivia.
Trichocereus tarijensis

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus tarmaensis

- B76
Body: Dark green, branching from the base to 6.5' (2m.), branches around 4" (10cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 8, to .75" broad, rounded.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles gray, .3" (8mm.) large, appearing more sunken above (i.e., with a shallow, obliquely transverse depression). Spines horn colored at first, later gray. Two to 5 radial spines to 1.2" (3cm.) long, usually 1 central spine, projecting horizontally, to 4" (10cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower. Fruit to 1.6" (4cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Tarma, Peru.
Trichocereus tenuispinus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Subspecies: v. pajanalensis: No description.
Trichocereus terscheckii

- B76, BR63 /Agurell 69.2 /Reti 51
Body: At first columnar with an intense green, woody trunk up to 17.75" (45cm.) diameter, to 40' (12m.) tall. When older becomes branched with parallel, ascending branches to 8" (20cm.) diameter. Often confused with T. pasacana but is more branched, fewer ribs, different spines and larger flowers.
Ribs: 8-14, prominent, obtuse, to 1.6" (4cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles felted, to .6" (1.5cm.) diameter, to 1.2" (3cm.) apart. Spines yellow, 8-15, tapering to a fine point, to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Large flowers to 8" (20cm.) long, 4.75" (12cm.) broad.
Distribution: Northern Argentina.
Subspecies: v. montanus: Branches lighter green, obliquely ascending.
Trichocereus terscheckioides

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
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Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus thelegonoides

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Thick, cylindric trunk to 20' (6m.) high, 7" (18cm.) diameter. More or less branched from above, branches more or less curved, ascending, obtuse at apex, to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 15, low, rounded, strongly tuberculate at first because of the transverse depressions between the areoles but gradually disappearing with age.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles, small, circular, felted. Eight to 10 yellow or brownish, bristly spines, to .3" (8mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower white, greenish outside to 9.5 (24cm.) long.
Distribution: On dry hills, Jujuy, Northern Argentina.
Trichocereus thelegonus

- B76, BR63 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Dark green, prostrate, sometimes with erect branches to over 6.5' (2m.) long, to 3.1" (8cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 12-13, broad, rounded, divided into distinctly 6 sided tubercles.
Areoles/Spines: Circular, felted areoles. Spines brown at first, then gray, sometimes darker to blackish, sometimes yellowish. Six to 8 needle-like, more or less spreading radial spines to .8" (2cm.) long. One porrect center spine to 1.6" (4cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 8" (20cm.) long.
Distribution: Northwestern Argentina.
Trichocereus totorensis

- B76
Body: According to the Mesa Garden catalogue, "KK1368 'bertramiana', huge hairy white" flower.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus totorillanus

- B76
Body: No description.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution: Bolivia.
Trichocereus trichosus

- B76
Body: Grayish or bluish green, simple, columnar, more or less "clavate", to only 3.2' (1m.) high.
Ribs: 9, broad, rather obtuse, to .75" high.
Areoles/Spines: Triangular, gray areoles to .75" (2cm.) broad, 2" (5cm.) apart (surmounted by a depression?). Spines gray, brown-tipped, thickened below, tapering to a fine point. Four to 6 radial spines to 1.4" (3.5cm.) long. One projecting central spine to 2.75" (7cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 9" (23cm.) long.
Distribution: On the road between Lagunillas and Santa Cruz, Bolivia at about 2000' (600m.).
Trichocereus tulhuayacensis

- B76
Body: Dark green trunk to 6.5' (2m.) high, branches to 4.75" (12cm.) diameter from low on the body.
Ribs: 7-9, to .4" (1cm.) high, 1.4" broad.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles to .3" (8mm.), yellowish at first, then gray, surmounted by a curving depression, prominences sometimes reddish. Spines mostly directed downwards, longest one more porrect, whitish-gray, otherwise yellowish at first, dark-tipped. Eight radial spines to 1" (2.5cm.) long, 3-4 central spines from 2.1" (5.5cm.) to 3.1" (8cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers fairly large, stoutly funnelform, light pink, ivory-white towards the throat. Dark green fruit to 1.75" (4.5cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Near Huachac, Peru, around 11,000' (3400m.).
Trichocereus tunariensis

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Pale green, shrubby to 10' (3m.) high. Branches from below to 4.75" diameter at base.
Ribs: 16-21, to .6" (1.5cm.) high, to .7" (1.7cm.) broad.
Areoles/Spines: Gray areoles to .2" (6mm.) diameter, .4" (1cm.) apart. Yellowish spines barely distinguishable between radial and central spines, about 17 needle-like, flexible with the longest ones directed downwards, to 2.4" (6cm.).
Flowers/Fruit: Flower white, to 6.75" ( 17cm.) long. Edible, dark green fruit to 1.6" (4cm.) long, 2" diameter.
Distribution: Between Yurac kkasa and San Miguel, Bolivia at about 12,500' (3800cm.).
Trichocereus uyupampensis

- B76
Body: Prostrate to hanging to 6.5' (2m.) long, branches about 1.4" diameter.
Ribs: 9, flat, narrow, slightly raised around the areole.
Areoles/Spines: Small, light brown areole. Eight to 10 spines, fine, irregularly directed, pointing up and down, darker, to .25" (6mm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: Flower, white with reddish outside, to 6.3" (16cm.) long.
Distribution: Uyupampa, Southern Peru at about 10,000' (3000m.) altitude.
Trichocereus validus (aka Echinopsis valida)

- B76 /Agurell et al 71
Body: Known primarily as stout, erect green columns although it may become tree-like. Stems to 13.75" (35cm.) diameter.
Ribs: about 10.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles fairly large above, to 1.2" (3cm.) apart. Spines pale yellow, sometimes darker above, few or weak at the apex, developing later in the lower half of the areole. Seven to 10 radial spines to 1.3" (3.2cm.) long with the bottom one the longest; 1-2 central spines to 2.75" (7cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 5.5" (14cm.) long. Fruit ovoid, wooly.
Distribution: South East Bolivia.
Trichocereus vasquezii

Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus vollianus

- B76
Body: Glossy, light green, erectly shrubby, branching from the base; branches to 4" (10cm.) diameter.
Ribs: about 13, rounded to .25" (7mm.) broad, .2" (5mm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles to 1" (2.5cm.) apart. Spines amber colored, 8-11 thin, sharp, radial spines, to .25" (7mm.) long; 1 central spine to 1" (2.5cm.) long.
Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 4.75" (12cm.) long. Fruit oblong and hairy.
Distribution: Arque-Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Subspecies: v. rubrispinus: Spines reddish-brown. Resembles T. spachianus but glossy and with opener spination.
Trichocereus vulcanenisis

- H
Body: Huntington Botanical Gardens specimen.
Ribs:
Areoles/Spines:
Flowers/Fruit:
Distribution:
Trichocereus werdermannianus

- B76 /Agurell 69.2
Body: Forming a large tree to over 16.5' (5m.) high, with a trunk to 3.3' (1m.) high and 16" (40cm.) diameter.
Ribs: 10 at first, later 14 or more, to .75" (2cm.) high.
Areoles/Spines: Areoles 1" (2.5cm.) apart. On new growth about 10 spines, central spine barely differentiated, to 2.75" (7cm.) long. Later growth increasing in number. All spines yellowish, horn-colored or brownish. Flowers/Fruit: White flower to 8" (20cm.) long. Fruit to 1.4" (3.5cm.) diameter.
Distribution: Southern Bolivia.

[psylocaria]

Thank you so much Freaky, that is exactly what I was looking for, hopefully others will be able to use this too!!!!:pirate:

Now how about a key to genus too round out this thread and make it a one stop shop????

[Freaky]

Glad I could help, and never thought to copy the info here to Topia.

Let me see what I have in my saved info archive for genus.








I guess we'll make this Archive Material/Cactus

[psylocaria]

Glad I could help, and never thought to copy the info here to Topia.

Let me see what I have in my saved info archive for genus.

I guess we'll make this Archive Material/Cactus

I had just been looking in the wrong place, but now its here for the community to use, and Again thank you for the info.

[Freaky]

Here's the copy of the genus key I use.

Trichocereus is now included in Echinopsis.

Species and varieties
Trichocereus andalgalensis synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus andalgalensis var. auricolor synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus angelesii synonym of Echinopsis angelesii
Trichocereus antezanae synonym of Echinopsis antezanae
Trichocereus arboricola synonym of Echinopsis arboricola
Trichocereus atacamensis synonym of Echinopsis atacamensis ssp. atacamensis
Trichocereus auricolor synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus bertramianus synonym of Echinopsis bertramiana
Trichocereus bridgesii synonym of Echinopsis bridgesii
Trichocereus bruchii synonym of Echinopsis bruchii
Trichocereus cabrerae synonym of Echinopsis cabrerae
Trichocereus campos-portoi synonym of Arthrocereus glaziovii
Trichocereus candicans synonym of Echinopsis candicans
Trichocereus candicans var. courantii synonym of Echinopsis candicans
Trichocereus candicans var. gladiatus synonym of Echinopsis candicans
Trichocereus catamarcensis synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus cephalomacrostibas synonym of Echinopsis cephalomacrostibas
Trichocereus cephalopasacanus synonym of Echinopsis atacamensis ssp. pasacana
Trichocereus chalaensis synonym of Echinopsis chalaensis
Trichocereus chilensis synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus chiloensis synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus chiloensis var. eburneus synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus chiloensis var. funkii synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus chiloensis var. quisco synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus chiloensis var. zizkaanus synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus clavatus synonym of Echinopsis clavata
Trichocereus conaconensis synonym of Echinopsis conaconensis
Trichocereus coquimbanus synonym of Echinopsis coquimbana
Trichocereus coquimbanus var. nigripilis synonym of Echinopsis coquimbana
Trichocereus courantii synonym of Echinopsis candicans
Trichocereus cuzcoensis synonym of Echinopsis cuzcoensis
Trichocereus damazioi synonym of Arthrocereus glaziovii
Trichocereus deserticolus synonym of Echinopsis deserticola
Trichocereus eremophilus synonym of Echinopsis atacamensis ssp. atacamensis
Trichocereus escayachensis synonym of Echinopsis escayanchensis
Trichocereus fabrisii synonym of Echinopsis fabrisii
Trichocereus fascicularis synonym of Haageocereus fascicularis
Trichocereus formosus synonym of Echinopsis formosa
Trichocereus fulvilanus synonym of Echinopsis deserticola
Trichocereus funkii synonym of Echinopsis chiloensis
Trichocereus glaucus synonym of Echinopsis glauca
Trichocereus glaziovii synonym of Arthrocereus glaziovii
Trichocereus grandiflorus synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus herzogianus synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis ssp. herzogianus
Trichocereus herzogianus var. totorensis synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis ssp. totorensis
Trichocereus huascha synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus huascha var. pecheretianus synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus ingens synonym of Echinopsis bruchii
Trichocereus knuthianus synonym of Echinopsis knuthiana
Trichocereus korethroides synonym of Echinopsis korethroides
Trichocereus lamprochlorus synonym of Echinopsis lamprochlora
Trichocereus litoralis synonym of Echinopsis litoralis
Trichocereus lobivioides synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus macrogonus synonym of Echinopsis macrogona
Trichocereus manguinii synonym of Echinopsis schickendantzii
Trichocereus microspermus synonym of Browningia microsperma
Trichocereus narvaecensis synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis
Trichocereus neolamprochlorus synonym of Echinopsis candicans
Trichocereus nigripilis synonym of Echinopsis coquimbana
Trichocereus pachanoi synonym of Echinopsis peruviana (San Pedro Macho)
Trichocereus pachanoi synonym of Echinopsis pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus)
Trichocereus pasacana synonym of Echinopsis atacamensis ssp. pasacana
Trichocereus peruvianus synonym of Echinopsis peruviana (San Pedro Macho)
Trichocereus poco synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis ssp. totorensis
Trichocereus pseudocandicans synonym of Echinopsis candicans
Trichocereus purpureopilosus synonym of Echinopsis lamprochlora
Trichocereus quadratiumbonatus synonym of Echinopsis quadratiumbonata
Trichocereus randallii synonym of Echinopsis formosa
Trichocereus rivierei synonym of Echinopsis atacamensis ssp. atacamensis
Trichocereus rondonianus synonym of Arthrocereus rondonianus
Trichocereus rowleyi synonym of Echinopsis huascha (Red Torch Cactus)
Trichocereus rubinghianus synonym of Echinopsis thelegonoides
Trichocereus santaensis synonym of Echinopsis santaensis
Trichocereus santiaguensis synonym of Echinopsis spachiana (Golden Torch Cereus)
Trichocereus schickendantzii synonym of Echinopsis schickendantzii
Trichocereus schoenii synonym of Echinopsis schoenii
Trichocereus scopulicola synonym of Echinopsis scopulicola
Trichocereus serenanus synonym of Echinopsis coquimbana
Trichocereus shaferi synonym of Echinopsis schickendantzii
Trichocereus skottsbergii synonym of Echinopsis skottsbergii
Trichocereus smrzianus synonym of Echinopsis smrziana
Trichocereus spachianus synonym of Echinopsis spachiana (Golden Torch Cereus)
Trichocereus spinibarbis synonym of Echinopsis spinibarbis
Trichocereus strigosus synonym of Echinopsis strigosa
Trichocereus strigosus var. intricatus synonym of Echinopsis strigosa
Trichocereus tacaquirensis synonym of Echinopsis tacaquirensis
Trichocereus tacnaensis synonym of Echinopsis peruviana (San Pedro Macho)
Trichocereus taquimbalensis synonym of Echinopsis tacaquirensis ssp. taquimbalensis
Trichocereus tarijensis synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis
Trichocereus tarijensis var. poco synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis ssp. totorensis
Trichocereus tarmaensis synonym of Echinopsis tarmaensis
Trichocereus tenuispinus synonym of Echinopsis bridgesii
Trichocereus tephracanthus synonym of Harrisia tetracantha
Trichocereus terscheckii synonym of Echinopsis terscheckii (Cardon Grande)
Trichocereus thelegonoides synonym of Echinopsis thelegonoides
Trichocereus thelegonus synonym of Echinopsis thelegona
Trichocereus torataensis synonym of Echinopsis peruviana (San Pedro Macho)
Trichocereus totorensis synonym of Echinopsis tarijensis ssp. totorensis
Trichocereus trichosus synonym of Echinopsis trichosa
Trichocereus tulhuayacensis synonym of Echinopsis tulhuayacensis
Trichocereus tunariensis synonym of Echinopsis tunariensis
Trichocereus uyupampensis synonym of Echinopsis uyupampensis
Trichocereus validus synonym of Echinopsis valida
Trichocereus vasquezii synonym of Echinopsis vasquezii
Trichocereus vatteri synonym of Echinopsis vatteri
Trichocereus volcanensis synonym of Echinopsis schickendantzii
Trichocereus vollianus synonym of Echinopsis volliana
Trichocereus walteri synonym of Echinopsis walteri
Trichocereus werdermannianus synonym of Echinopsis terscheckii (Cardon Grande)

Maybe if I get some time I can try to upload some photo's in this key.

[psylocaria]

Ok, But how do I get to Trichocereus, and rule out other columnar cacti????

[Freaky]

And while I'm adding some Trichocereus information, some alkaloid info might be worthwhile to the thread.

Cactaceae Alkaloids. X1,. Alkaloids of Trichocereus

Species and Some Other Cacti

Scanned without permission by Debaser
STIG AGURELL, JAN G. BRUHN, JAN LUNDSTRÖM AND ULLA SVENSS0N

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy.

Box 6804. 113 86 Stockholm. Sweden

ABSTRACT.- The alkaloids of 14 % species of Trichocereus are reported. Eight different previously known phenethylamines viz. tyramine. N-methyltyramine, hordenine. 3-methoxytyramine. 3.4-dimethoxyphenethylamine. N-methyl-3-methoxytyramine. 3hydroxy-4.5.dimethoxyphenethylamine. and mescaline were identified in these species. Mescaline was found to occur in T. cuzcoensis. T. fulvilanus. T. taquimbalensis and T. validus. Mescaline was also present in small amounts in Stetsonia coryne together with traces of anhalidine and anhalonidine. 3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethylamine is identified in a plant, Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, apparently for the first time. The commonly occurring isomer 3-methoxytyramine was found to be the major alkaloid of Trichocereus cuzcoensis. A tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, anhalidine, was isolated from Pelecyphora aselliformis.

Results reported in a previous paper, indicated that the occu rence of alkaloids in Cactaceae was common (1). The basic alkaloids in 21 species of cacti mainly belonging to the genera Trichocereus, Helianthocereus and Cereus were reported in part I of this series (1). The structures of those, at that time,


FIG. 1. ldentified alkaloids.

known basic cactus alkaloids were also reviewed (I). Since then salsoline has found to occur in Echinocereus merkeri Hildm. (2) and N-rnethyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethylamine in the peyote cactus (8).

The present report is concerned with the identification of alkaloids of cacti belonging mainly to the genus Trichocereus but also alkaloids of Stetsonia coryne, Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, Pelecyphora aselliformis and Echinopsis rhodotricha.


EXPERIMENTAL

PLANT MATERIAL.-The cacti used in this investigation were obtained from the following

sources: Stetsonia coryne, Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, Trichocereus cuzcoensis,

T. santiaguensis, T. strigosus, T. thelegonoides and T. thelegonus from W. Haage, Erfurt, DDR; T. courantii. T. knuthianus. T. rnanguinii, T. pupureopilosus, T. taquimbalensis and T. tunariensis from H. van Donkelaar, Werkendam, The Netherlands; Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum. Stetsonia coryne, T. santiaguensis. Echinopsis rhodotricha and Pelecyphora aselliformis from K. Edelmann, Reeuwijk, The Netherlands; T. fulvilanus, T. santiaguensis and T. skottsbergii from M. Schleipfer, Augsburg, DBR; T. validus, T. thelegonous were gifts from Dr. J. P. M. Brenan, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.

The nomenclature of species as proposed by Backeberg (4) is used. Plants were checked to conform with the macromorphological descriptions given by Backeberg. (4). Reference caccti are maintained in our greenhouse.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ALKALOIDS.- Methods for isolation and separation of alkaloids have been described earlier (1). The basic technique by which the alkaloids were identified has been fully outlined (1). In essence, the naturally occurring compound was considered as identified, if it showed the same chromatographic behaviour as the reference compound (i) on two gas chromatography columns (SE-30, XE-60, or JxR); (ii) by tlc |chloroform- ethanol conc. ammonia (85:15:0.4) or, for phenols, chloroform ethanol diethylamine, (85:5:10)| and (iii) by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (glc-rns), giving the same mass spectrum as the reference compound. In addition to the previously used 5% SE-30 and 5% XE-60 columns, a column (6 ft X 1/8 in.) of 3% JxR on Gas Chrom Q (100 120 mesh) was found to be in some ways superior (Varian model 204 or 2100 Aerograph). Preparative glc was carried out using columns of 5% SE-30 on Gas Chrom P (Varian model 202 Aerograph).

SPECIAL CHROMATOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS.- 3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethylamine, the isomeric 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethylamine ("3-methoxytyramine"), and the purified phenolic alkaloid fractions of T. cuzcoensis and Pachycereus pecten-aboriginurn were chromatographed on Whatman no. 1 paper with n-butanol-acetic acid -water (4:1:5) as solvent (13). After spraying with Gibbs' reagent, reference 3 hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethylamine (Rt. 0.45) and the major phenolic alkaloid of P. pecten-aboriginum showed a blue color while the isomer 4-hydroxy-3methoxyphenethylamine and the major phenolic compound from T. cuzcoensis (Rt. 0.45) developed a brown cotor, Gibbs' reagent: 0.1% solution of 2,6-dichloroquinone chlorimide in ethanol followed by 10% sodium carbonate in water.

Reference 4-hydroxy-3-rnetboxyphenethylamine (Rf. 0.60) 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethylamine (Rf. 0.45) and the two isomeric compounds isolated from cacti were well separated by tlc on silica gel G plates with chloroform ethanol diethylamide (85:5:10) as solvent (10).

The identity of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethylamine and the major phenolic alkaloid or P. pecten-aboriginum was further confirmed by glc using trimethylanilinium hydroxide (5) for on-column methylation of the phenolic groups. In both cases a major compound having the retention time of 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine was formed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Our present screening for cactus alkaloids has largely been motivated by the search for biosynthetic intermediates in the formation of mescaline and related tetrahydroisoquinolines. Indeed, three phenolic'alkaloids, 3-rnethoxytyramine (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethylamine), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyphenethlamine and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine were identified in cacti (3) and were later shown to be true biosynthetic intermediates (9). Still, some plausible progenitors of the tetrahydroisoquinoline skeleton are lacking. Partly, using "mass fragmentography" (7) to simplify the search for likely, presumably phenolic phenethylamine intermediates, a number of the Trichocercus species, and other cacti listed in table 1 were investigated. Some results with biogenetic implications are reported elsewhere (8). The identification of alkaloids has now been verified mainly by glc-ms and the final results reported here (table 1

Earlier, we have investigated (1) twelve species of the genus Trichocereus, which according to Backeberg comprises in all 38 species. We have now (table 1) examined the alkaloids of 14 more Trichocereus species and identified, in all, eight different phenethylamines (table 1). These are previously all known (1) to occur in the genus Trichocereus, except N-methyl-3-methoxytyramine (N-methyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethylamine), which is known only from peyote (8). Mescaline, previously isolated from five Trichocereus species (1), is now identified also in T. cuzcoensis, T. fulvilanus, T. taquimbalensis and T. validus. While it occurred as the major alkaloid in T. taquimbalensis and T. validus, mescaline was only a minor constituent in the two other species. It may also be pointed out that the alkaloid-rich T. cuzcoensis contained 3-methoxytyramine as the predominant alkaloid. The macroscopic appearance of the new mescaline-containing species resembled markedly the previously known species and in fact, based on their appearance they were predicted to contain mescaline.

Stetsonia coryne has previously been known (11) to yield the quarternary alkaloid coryneine (N,N,N-trimethyldopamine). The occurrence of tyramine and N-methyltyramine. plausible biochemical progenitors of coryncine, was thus to be expected (fig. 2). Furthermore, plants from three different sources of this species, which is a not too distant relative of the Trichocereus species, were found to contain beside two other simple phenethylamines small amounts of mescaline. Traces of two phenolic tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, viz. anhalonidine and anhalidine were also identified.

Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum was already in 1929 by Späth and Kuffner (14) shown to contain carnegine. This cactus has now been found to contain several alkaloids as will be reported in a later publication. However, the major compound of the phenolic alkaloid fraction turned out to be a hydroxymethoxyphenethylamine, but surprisingly not the commonly occurring 3-methoxytyramine (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethylamine), but rather the isorneric 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenethylamine as described in the experimental section. This latter compound might theoretically be a good precursor of some tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, e.g., carnegine and salsolidine, since it may provide an advantageous para-activation for the ring closure. Experiments on the biosynthesis of carnegine and salsolidine in Carnegiea gigantea have, however, not entirely supported such assumptions (6).

Pelecyphora aselliformis has been reported to contain alkaloids, probably tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. This is now found to be correct with the identification of anhalidine in addition to the ubiquitous hordenine. The structure of one major alkaloid of this species still awaits elucidation. In this connection, it is known (12) that cacti of several genera of Cactaccae, among them pelecyphora, in Mexico are popularly, although for unknown reasons, classed as "peyote". Possibly, the alkaloids of P. aselliformis are responsible for its classification as a "peyote".

Echinopsia rhodotricha was earlier reported (1) not to contain detectable amounts of alkaloids. From a large amount of cacti we have now isolated small amounts of hordenine and tyramine.


FIG. 2. Gas chromatogram from glc-ms run of alkaloids of Stetsonia coryne. 5% SE-30 on Gas Chrom P. 150·. l = tyramine and N-methyltyramine, 2 = 3-methoxytyramine, 3 = 3,4-dimethoxyphenthylamine, 4 = mescaline, 5 = anhalidine, 6 = anhalonidine.

[simpleman]

thanks freaky! great posts and info

[Freaky]

[

Ok, But how do I get to Trichocereus, and rule out other columnar cacti????

Here's some other info I've had saved taken from different parts of the internet. Sadly I don't have the links, just the copied information I saved.

The only cactus genus that is more confusing than Echinopsis is that of Opuntia. In both cases, there is a great number of species (over 100) and a tremendous amount of variation. In Echinopsis plants range from very small, flattened-globose plants to quite large, treelike giants. As a result, there is a long list of synonymous names for many of the species. Some synonyms referring to other synonyms that refer to a subspecies of some seemingly distinct species. Sorting through these names often feels like a wild goose chase and is quite frustrating.

In more recent thinking, the previous two genera of Trichocereus and Lobivia are included with Echinopsis. However, it is not at all uncommon for enthusiasts to use all three names in discussion even if their labels read Echinopsis. This usage reflects the general (inexact) situation that the larger, columnar members are distinguished as Trichocereus while Lobivia includes a select group of smaller, not-as-spiny plants which typically flower from low on the plant similar to most Rebutia species. This leaves the bulk of plants referred to as Echinopsis to be mostly spiny, ribbed, globose plants.

The main factor that ties these plants together are their very large, showy flowers. These flowers are all very similar in structure – funnel shaped, with hairy/wooly scaled floral tubes which give rise to hairy, globular fruit filled with a soft, mushy pulp. The flowers seldom last more than a single day and may be diurnal or nocturnal depending on the species. These species hybridize easily and have resulted in a tremendous number of hybrids that some cactus growers specialize in or grow exclusively. There are certainly enough hybrids to keep even ardent hobbyists busy.

Because of their exceptional flowers, many Echinopsis species are found in garden centers and collections world-wide. The larger species (aka Trichocereus) are also popular landscape plants in warmer parts of the world. While there are a number of species common in cultivation, there are as many or more unknown hybrids in the trade. These hybrids are easy-to-grow and produce nice flowers, but buyer beware if exact names are desired. Plants of this genus are widespread throughout South America and inhabit a wide range of habitats and climates.

CACTACEAE FAMILY

• All but one cactus species is endemic to (occurs naturally only in) the New World

• All cacti are succulent (have water-storing tissue), but not all succulents are cacti (e.g., Sotol). This sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish cacti from other plants that convergently evolved (developed similar characteristics due to experiencing similar environmental constraints) with cacti (e.g., Ocotillo).

• To be a cactus, the plant must have the following set of characteristics:

• areoles: structures from which spines, branches, and flowers come.
• flowers with many sepals and petals that intergrade with each other.
• flowers with many stamens.
• flowers with multi-lobed stigma.

• Most cacti use CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthesis, taking in carbon dioxide at night instead of the day to save water (evaporation rates are lower at night generally), storing the carbon dioxide as an acid, and then releasing the carbon dioxide during the day for photosynthesis.

• Columnar cacti, with leguminous trees, characterize the Sonoran Desert
• Besides columnar cacti, other major groups include barrels, hedgehogs, pincushions, chollas, and prickly pears.

I know that doesn't answer your question exactly, but you'll most likely have to buy a cactus ID book or search the internet for more information, you've tapped me out.

:cacti:

[Irishlion]

Because of the Keys in this thread Freaky can we sticky this so its really easy to find for other members that may be looking for this very info.

[Freaky]

Great idea Irish, I'll copy to vaults too and update as needed.

:bow: