Scientific Research Program

THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM

A scene from our long-term regrowth study

Some of our questions & efforts to learn answers:

What are the genetics of the known populations of Astrophytum and Lophophora?

What is the biochemistry and chemistry of Astrophytum and Lophophora?

Is there a technique of harvesting that can help ensure the survival of the peyote plant?

Summaries of Astrophytum/Lophophora papers published in 2006.

More recent Astrophytum/Lophophora papers.

2012 progress comments

2013 publications

2014 publications

2015 publications

Practical projects with direct implications for active conservation.

1) A field study of peyote harvesting and regrowth performed within its natural habitat.

Thanks to the generous support of a cactus conservationist this 4-year project became a published reality. The results appeared in print in a peer reviewed journal in 2011 and 2012 with a 2014 follow-up published in 2015. Our sincere thanks and deepest appreciation goes to Libbie Winston Mize for graciously supporting this important and timely study.

We are continuing to monitor this population every two years.

Results of CCI's long-term study of post-harvesting regrowth.
     Papers:    2011    [~8.7 Mb PDF]
                     2012    [~1.5 Mb PDF]
                     2014    [1.9 Mb PDF]
    Data & images (2008-2012, 2014 & 2016)

Regrowth on #106 in 2010 above & in 2011 on the upper right.
Regrowth on #106 in 2012 above & in 2014 on the lower right. Four snapshots during 6 years of the life of a regrowth pup.

2) Cultivation of peyote is the ultimate solution to the conservation problem.

CCI's cultivation suggestions are now available for the NAC.

**Quote:**
"If a person performs his duties as a keeper of the living medicine with the same care and reverence that he would bring to a peyote meeting – the same care and reverence with which he might tend the fire – then the medicine will reflect that care and that reverence to those who use it as the sacrament." Ted Herrera Spiritual Leader Rio Grande Native American Church

Ideas for the future

A field study of peyote, to identify techniques to improve the production of peyote in its natural habitat.

Theoretical studies designed to increase our scientific knowledge of the cacti themselves.

New projects that are underway

       In addition to our ongoing molecular studies of the wild Lophophora populations, we are also conducting a molecular study of the known populations of the endangered Echinocereus fitchii ssp. albertii.

       "New Peyote Conservation Research on Over-the-Counter Meds"
We have also begun a study of the components of peyote pomades and aceites in order to evaluated how the creation and marketing of these commercial product lines potentially impacts wild peyote populations in Mexico.
    To accomplish this, we really need a fraction collector and associated items for HPLC.
    Details are available on Robert LeBlanc’s gofundme proposal.

How can you help?

Please enjoy our featured articles:

by Dana M. Price & Martin Terry	by Martin Terry
by Martin Terry	by Joselyn Fenstermacher

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Reproduction is forbidden without prior written consent.

Cactus Conservation Institute