Cactus Month
Posted by The Lorax in November 13, 2008
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Echinopsis pachanoi, also known as San Pedro or San Pedrito, growing at Pomasqui, Pichincha Province. I could, of course, be wrong - this could also be Echinopsis peruviana. The two are nearly indistinguishable, share a natural range, and hybridize easily. Regardless of which variety it is, this is a tall cactus, reaching more than 8 meters in height, which has large, fragrant white flowers. This clump had just finished blooming when I arrived.
San Pedro contains a number of hallucinogenic alkaloids, most notably Mescaline, which make it popular among shamans to induce a healing trance. While the cactus itself is not illegal in Ecuador (or most other countries), to posess any distillate or byproduct of it will get you five years in jail.
The cactus is also a popular herbal remedy; cut sections of stem (with skin still attached) are used to accelerate wound healing, as an anti-inflammitory, and to cure dandruf and flaking skin. The meat of the cactus can be used to make a natural shampoo. It is also of veterinaray importance, as the water produced from the crushed stems is very effective against foot-and-mouth disease.
San Pedro fruit, which the cactus will produce if it is properly pollinated by native moths (or by hand) is about the size of a raquetball, red, and very sweet and tasty.
Nicotania tabacum - Tobacco
Posted by The Lorax in October 25, 2008
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Tobacco, growing in the Pululagua crater, Pichincha Province. This is an escaped, naturalized plant that was growing in the fields of a former Hacienda near the crater breach. In Ecuador, most large farms grow Tobacco as an insecticide, and may not ever use the leaves as smoke. This appears to be “true” or cultivated tobacco - N. tabacum. In Ecuador, when home-grown tobacco is used it is normally in ceremony in the same manner that it is used by North American native cultures. Despite growing quite large quantities of Tobacco, Ecuador imports almost all of its cigars and cigarettes. The exception is an exceptionally strong brand of hand-rolled cigarettes called Chamicos, which are produced by the elders in the valley of Vilcabamba. One Chamico, apparently, is more than enough to last a lifetime.
