Stetsonia coryne

Stetsonia coryne, the toothpick cactus, is the sole species in the cactus genus Stetsonia. Stetsonia coryne is native to arid regions of South America, where it grows to a height of 15 to 25 ft (4.6 to 7.6 m) tall. It contains mescaline and other alkaloids.

Description

A cactus. It is a large plant like a tree. It grows 5-8 m tall. It has thick trunks with many erect or arching branches. The stems are blue-green and ribbed. They are 9-10 cm across. There are 8-9 ribs. The spines are yellow and turn black. They are stiff, and straight. There is one central spine 5 cm long. There are 7-9 spines around it that are 3 cm long. The flowers open at night. They are funnel shaped and white. They are 15 cm long. The fruit are oval and green to red. They are covered with scales.

Edible Uses

The rind has a tangy lemon flavor and is edible raw or cooked. The fruit are eaten as a vegetable or used as a seasoning for fish.

Traditional Uses

The rind has a tangy lemon flavour and is edible. The fruit can be eaten cooked. They are eaten as a vegetable or as a seasoning for fish. The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is used medicinally. No more information The plant contains the alkaloid mescaline, the same active compound that is found in a number of hallucinogenic cactus species. The concentration of mescaline is unknown, and we have seen no records of this species being used as a hallucinogenic.

Distribution

A subtropical plant. It grows in high arid regions in Argentina. In Argentina it grows between 200-1,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Slovenia, South America*,

Cultivation

Stetsonia coryne is somewhat cold tolerant. In its native, hot, dry climate it is known to survive occasional lows down to -8°c. Requires a sunny position The flowers open at night, often remaining open the following day.

Other Uses

The thorns are used as needles. The trunks are used to make furniture and crafts. The plant is grown as a living fence in order to mark out boundaries and act as a barrier against herbivorous animals.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Caracore, Cardon, Istak, Pang, Taringi

References (13)

• Anderson, E.F., 2001, The Cactus Family, Timber Press. p 58, 650
• Arenas, P. and Scarpa, G. F., 2006, Edible wild plants of the Chorote Indians, Gran Chaco, Argentina. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. Vol. 153 (1): pp 73-85
• Fouqué, A. 1972. Espèces fruitières d'Amérique tropicale. Institut français de recherches fruitierès outre-mer
• Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 630
• http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants

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