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Trichocereus macrogonus (Echinopsis macrogona) in Matucana II

Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Collana Pichu Matucana Peruvianus

In this chapter I want to show you some of the wild populations of Trichocereus macrogonus aka Echinopsis macrogona from Matucana. The species is partially synonymous with Echinopsis peruviana, which is why there is quite some overlay between these two. The name Echinopsis macrogona has a long and troubled history, because most authors have their own opinion about it. Personally, I consider the name Cereus macrogonus (which resulted in later descriptions as Trichocereus macrogonus and Echinopsis macrogona) to be too problematic to count. Its original description lacks information on crucial details such as the country of origin and this leads to the massive confusion surrounding it. Seed sellers carry various species under the name, e.g. Echinopsis peruviana, Echinopsis pachanoi, Trichocereus werdermannianus (currently seen as form of Echinopsis terscheckii), Trichocereus taquimbalensis, Trichocereus tacaquirensis, Echinopsis lageniformis/ Trichocereus bridgesii, Trichocereus santaensis, Trichocereus terscheckii, Trichocereus schoenii, etc. There´s almost no species that this name hasn´t been slapped on, which makes comparisons between plants from the commercial market completely pointless. If I would get a Dollar every time someone tells me that “x plant can´t be Trichocereus macrogonus because they seed grown plant looks completely different” I would be a made man. 

Check out the main archive page of Trichocereus macrogonus here: https://trichocereus.net/trichocereus-macrogonus-echinopsis-macrogona/

How to differentiate Trichocereus macrogonus / Echinopsis macrogona and Trichocereus peruvianus / Echinopsis peruviana?

In this article we show some photos from Matucana, which is the type locality of Echinopsis peruviana. These plants are often referred to as Trichocereus macrogonus and people who identify these plants tend to identify them as Trichocereus macrogonus due to their spine color. I personally do not think it makes a lot of sense to differentiate between Echinopsis peruviana and Echinopsis macrogona as the whole complex is incredibly variable. Differences between a form from Matucana and one from another Peruvian city do not mean that something has to be a different species. The people who get to choose which differences draw clear lines between two related species are the authors who describe them, and so far I have not read a conclusive argumentation on clear boundaries between Echinopsis macrogona and Echinopsis peruviana and I think DNA testing is the one tool that should be used to decide this. However, since there is no country of origin, type locality or Herbarium piece of the original Cereus macrogonus, which makes it impossible to compare other populations against it. And this is pretty much the crux of the problem. 

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Huariquina in Matucana

Below you can see some photos from Huariquina in Matucana. All plants there are very beautiful and among the most visually pleasing Trichocereus species we know. Icaro DNA and Los Gentiles look very much like this. The plants grow columnar, but with a clear tendency to lean over every now and then. They do not really grow prostrate, but they don´t always grow a 100% columnar either. 

If you like the articles we write, check out some of our other ones:

For example, this page contains all the necessary info on Trichocereus macrogonus / Echinopsis macrogona. You can also read our database page about the species Echinopsis peruvianus here

To support us, please join our Growers Worldwide Facebook groups at www.facebook.com/groups/trichocereus or subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram

Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 3
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 6
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 8
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 30
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 12
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 10
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 13
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 16
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 19
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 21
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 27
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 26
Trichocereus macrogonus Echinopsis macrogona Huariquina Matucana Peruvianus 23

Copyright: Chavin Herbalists

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Pomolargo

Pomolargo is another Peruvianus population that is a glowing example for the beauty of this species. 

Trichocereus macrogonus Trichocereus peruvianus Echinopsis peruvianus macrogona Pomolargo 2

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Collana Roja in Matucana

Collana Roja is another Matucana population that is typical for Echinopsis macrogona. The spines are brow, sometimes even red, and this is one of the only traits that are somewhat usable to differentiate between Echinopsis peruviana and Echinopsis macrogona. Again, most are mostly synonymous anyways, which is underlined through the fact that Echinopsis macrogona was never found again, from the time on that Britton and Rose wrote their description of Trichocereus peruvianus. That alone speaks volumes and the reason is that all the plants which were formerly identified as Cereus macrogonus were later attributed to Britton and Rose´s name. There are differences between the two descriptions, but they are rather small- 

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Peruviana Peruvianus Collana Roja in Matucana 2
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Peruviana Peruvianus Collana Roja in Matucana 4

Copyright: Chavin Herbalists

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Collana Pichu in Matucana

Collana Pichu is very similar in regards to the phenotype and gets very close to Collana Roja. 

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 2
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 4
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 6
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 7
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 9
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 11
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 13
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 15
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 16
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 18
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 20
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 22
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 23
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 24
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 26
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 30
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 34
Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus peruviana peruvianus Collana Pichu in Matucana 33

Copyright: Chavin Herbalists

Echinopsis macrogona / Trichocereus macrogonus Sucro in Matucana

In Sucro we´ve seen some plants that were relatively short spined or even spineless. There´s quite a few regional forms of this species that is spineless, but these plants are usually very spiny as seedlings and only lose their spines later on. In particular, we´ve grown some seeds of Collana Roja, which are quite spiny as seedlings and we hope they will lose their spines later on.

Echinopsis macrogona Trichocereus macrogonus Sucro in Matucana Trichocereus peruvianus 3
Echinopsis macrogona Trichocereus macrogonus Sucro in Matucana Trichocereus peruvianus 2

Copyright: Chavin Herbalists

Check out our main plant database pages for Trichocereus pachanoi aka Echinopsis pachanoi here:

And Trichocereus bridgesii here:

Also check out our Trichocereus Facebook group here:

https://facebook.com/groups/trichocereus

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Trichocereus Species from the Sacred Succulents Trips

On this page, I want to show some of the plants that my friends from Sacred Succulents visited during their Field Trips. I had those listed as separate pages, but it made the whole process to look at them a bit complicated. And that´s why I brought some of the species on one page. On this page, you can see some Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Trichocereus bridgesii, Trichocereus peruvianus and others.

BK08519.4 Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Pisac

This plant was visited during the 2008 Sacredsucculents Field Trip. It´s a beautiful Cuzcoensis that partially grows creeping. For some types of Trichocereus cuzcoensis and Trichocereus peruvianus, it´s definitely common that they can lean over and grow hanging down rocky slopes and cliffs. This Trichocereus cuzcoensis from Pisac is relatively typical Cuzcoensis that is not unlike the so well known and widely distributed KK242.

Ben from Sacred Succulents gave away a very limited amount of seeds to people who supported the Sacred Succulenst Field Trips with seed shares and this was one of them.

Photos from Sacred Succulents Field Trips

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64 BK08519 Sacred Succulents
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BK08521.12 Trichocereus cuzcoenis, Ollantaytambo

This one is another rather typical cuzcoensis, but that shows slight variation to what we usually know. This is a plant that is unlike the typical KK242, but which shows relationship to plants like the amazing cuzcos from the Bolivian Isla Del Sol. Definitely an amazing plant!

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BK08526.4 Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Peru

I will add more Info about this Plant soon. It is a plant that was visited during the Sacred Succulents Field Trips. Picture by Ben Kamm from sacredsucculents.com!

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Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Lamay, Cusco, Peru 2010 copyright B. Kamm

First One from the 2010 Sacred Succulents Field Trip! Trichocereus Cuzcoensis in Lamay, Cusco, Peru. Pic: Ben Kamm, Sacredsucculents.com

3 Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Lamay, Cusco, Peru 2010 copyright B

BK08526.11 Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Raqchi

I will add more Info about this Plant soon. It is a plant that was visited during the Sacred Succulents Field Trips. Picture by Ben Kamm from sacredsucculents.com!

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BK08612.9 Trichocereus peruvianus, Sucro, Peru

Trichocereus Pervianus from Sucro! Pic: Ben Kamm, Sacredsucculents.com!

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Trichocereus Bridgesii Mutant Achuma, above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia 2010

One of the coolest Plants I ever saw! A mutated Trichocereus Bridgesii growing above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia. Pic: Ben Kamm, Sacredsucculents.com

103 mutant Achuma, above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia 2010 copyright B

104 mutant Achuma, above Huachjilla,La Paz, Bolivia 2010 copyright B

Trichocereus bridgesii-baby Achuma, above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia

Another very small Baby Bridgesii from La Paz. Taken during the 2010 Sacred Succulents Field Trip! Pic: Ben Kamm, Sacredsucculents

99 Trichocereus bridgesii-baby Achuma, above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia 2010 copyright B

Trichocereus peruvianus, Fortaleza Canyon, Ancash, Peru

A very cool Peruvianus from the FORTALEZA CANYON in Ancash, Peru. Ben Kamm

335 Trichocereus peruvianus, Fortaleza Canyon, Ancash, Peru 2009 Copyright B

336 Trichocereus peruvianus, Fortaleza Canyon, Ancash, Peru 2009 Copyright B

Trichocereus seedling, Sedum, Peperomia, Chavin, Ancash, Peru

Another small Peruvianus Seedling, growing in relationship with Peperomia and Sedum. Pic: Ben Kamm, Sacredsucculents.com.

237 Trichocereus seedling, Sedum, Peperomia, Chavin, Ancash, Peru 2009 Copyright B

Trichocereus peruvianus baby, Huariquina. Lima, Peru

Another Pic from the Sacred Succulents 2009 Field Trip! Pic: Ben Kamm, Sacredsucculents.com!

23 Trichocereus peruvianus baby, Huariquina

BK08526.12 Trichocereus cuzcoensis, Raqchi

I will add more Info about this Plant soon. It is a plant that was visited during the Sacred Succulents Field Trips. Picture by Ben Kamm from sacredsucculents.com!

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BK08608.4 Trichocereus bridgesii, El Vergel, La Paz, Bolivia

Another Bridgesii from La Paz, Bolivia. Pic: Ben Kamm, sacredsucculents.com. More text will follow soon.

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Wild Trichocereus peruvianus-pachanoi hybrid, Huariquina. Lima, Peru  

15 Wild Trichocereus peruvianus-pachanoi hybrid, Huariquina

16 Wild Trichocereus peruvianus-pachanoi hybrid, Huariquina

Trichocereus bridgesii, Huachjilla, Bolivia

Another Plant from the 2008 Sacred Succulents Fieldtrip! Trichocereus Bridgesii around Huachjilla, Bolivia.

Unfortunately, there were no seed collected from this amazing plant.

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Check out our main plant database pages for Trichocereus pachanoi aka Echinopsis pachanoi here:

And Trichocereus bridgesii here:

Trichocereus scopulicola

Also check out our Trichocereus Facebook group here:

https://facebook.com/groups/trichocereus