THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM
Untouched Lophophora williamsii in the regrowth study site
population
Peyote post-harvest regrowth –
Control group
Summary of our observations –
after six years
Concerning data on regrowth involving multiple pups:
1) There is not necessarily a direct 1:1
correspondence between sequential figures for individual pups within a
single plant.
2) It was not uncommon for some or all pups to
be partly or entirely covered so some photos may reflect the
pre-uncovery state.
Images of the tags can be viewed via the links
in the column for the tag numbers and images of the actual plants can
be viewed using
the links in the column headed "Number of crowns".
A number of our tags and plants were completely
buried and hence provided missing data in 2009. In the years since then, thanks to
the use of a high powered metal detector we have located all of our tags,
stakes and plants except in the instances that are noted in the table below.
Images and data concerning the control group can be
found below.
nd – No
data.
—
– Missing data
Control group — 2014 cumulative data summary
Plant
Number
tagIMG
|
Number of crowns
(links to images)
|
Number of ribs
|
Diameter of crowns
(in cm)
|
Comments
|
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2014
|
22 Nov. 2008
7 Mar. 2009
6 Mar. 2010
15 Mar. 2011
13 Mar. 2012
10 Mar. 2014
|
22 Nov. 2008
missed 2009 data
6 Mar. 2010
15 Mar. 2011
13 Mar. 2012
10 Mar. 2014
|
22 Nov. 2008
7 Mar. 2009
6 Mar. 2010
15 Mar. 2011
13 Mar. 2012
10 Mar. 2014
|
|
|
151
151
151
151
151
151
|
2
2
2
4
3
3
|
8, 8
—
8, 8
9*, 8, 7, 9
7, 5, 6
5, 5, 5
|
3.8, 4.3
3.5, 4.7
3.0, 2.7
4.1*, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2
2.7, 2.1, 2.3
3.4, 3.6, 2.7
|
Both crowns broken off by hogs. Replanted 2010. See
details below concerning control plant 151.
|
152
152
152
152
152
152
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
3.7
3.8
3.4
4.2
4.8
5.1
|
2011 post-uncovery photo missed.
|
153
153
153
153
153
153
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
3.5
3.8
3.9
4.2
4.8
4.4
|
|
154
154
154
154
154
154
|
4 (+4 pups)
4 (+4 pups)
9
9
8
8
|
13, 13, 13, 8
—
13x3, 7x1, 8x4
13x3, 6, 8x3, 9, 8
13x3, 8x2, 7, 8, 7
13x3, 8x4, 7
|
3.4, 5.0, 6.1, 5.0,
3.2, 5.8, 6.3, 5.6
6.1, 5.1, 5.5, 3.1, 2.0, 2.2, 1.9, 1.7
6.5, 6.0, 5.5, 1.1, 2.5, 3.6, 2.0, 2.3, 2.6
5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 3.5, 2.3, 2.7, 2.8, 3.0
6.4, 5.8, 6.2, 4.6, 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.2
|
9th crown was not measureable
|
155
155
155
155
155
155
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
12
|
4.3
4.8
4.5
4.5
5.3
5.7
|
|
156
156
156
156
156
156
|
2
2
2
2
2
2
|
8, 8
—
8, 8
8, 8
8, 8
8. 9
|
4.3, 4.9
4.8, 4.7
4.4, 4.8
4.8, 4.8
5.3, 5.0
5.6, 5.9
|
|
157
157
157
157
157
157
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
4.8
5.5
4.6
5.2
5.5
6.1
|
|
158
158
158
158
158
158
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
11
13
11
12
|
5.7
5.8
4.9
5.8
5.7
5.9
|
|
159
159
159
159
159
159
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
12
13
10
9
|
4.7
5.0
4.3
4.8
4.8
4.6
|
|
160
160
160
160
160
160
|
1
1
1
3
2
2
|
13
—
12
13, 6, 7
13, 6
11, 6
|
4.7
5.2
4.9
5.3, 0.7, 0.8
4.8, 1.8
4.8, 2.3
|
|
161
161
161
161
161
161
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
9
9 (transition)
8
11
|
5.1
5.2
4.7
5.5
5.0
6.2
|
Not photographed in 2011 Not photographed in 2012
|
162
162
162
162
162
162
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
4.0
5.2
4.4
5.6
5.8
6.3
|
|
163
163
163
163
163
163
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
13
—
13
13
10
8
|
6.1
6.5
6.4
7.0
5.8
6.0
|
|
164
164
164
164
164
164
|
1
1
7
6
6
8
|
13
—
13, 7, 6, 7, 5
13, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8
13, 10, 9, 6, 8, 10
13, 8, 7x3, 6x3
|
7.4
7.4
6.8, 2.2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.0
7.0, 1.8, 2.5, 2.5, 2.9, 2.5
6.0, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 2.8, 0.8
6.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.8, 3.2, 3.5, 2.7, 2.7
|
2 new pups not measurable.
|
165
165
165
165
165
165
|
3
3
3
4
2
2
|
8, 8, 8
—
13, 7, 8
13, 8, 8, 7
13, 7
13, 8
|
5.8, 3.5, 3.2
5.6, 3.9, 3.8
4.7, 3.1, 3.1
5.7, 1.8, 3.9, 3.5
5.3, 2.1
4.2, 1.8
|
|
166
166
166
166
166
166
|
1
1
3
3
3
3
|
13
—
13, 7, 7
13, 8, 8
13, 7, 7
13, 7, 8
|
6.0
5.6
5.2, 1.7, 1.7
6.1, 2.5, 2.6
6.0, 2.8, 3.0
6.5, 3.3, 3.4
|
Nail & tag separated and moved.
|
167
167
167
167
167
167
|
2
2
2
2
2
2
|
13, 10
—
13, 11
13, 10
13, 10
11, 10
|
4.2, 5.3
5.3, 5.9
4.8, 5.5
5.2, 6.1
5.1, 6.2
5.8, 6.0
|
|
168
168
168
168
168
168
|
2
2
1 (0)
0
0
0
|
10, 11
—
9 (nd)
nd
nd
nd
|
5.2, 5.1
5.3, 4.7
3.9 (March) [dead (July)]
nd
nd
nd
|
Diseased in March; dead in July.
No trace in 2012.
|
169
169
169
169
169
169
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
12
13
13
12
|
3.2
4.7
3.9
4.0
4.5
5.5
|
|
170
170
170
170
170
170
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
10
—
13
13
13
13
|
5.2
5.6
5.6
5.0
5.2
5.9
|
|
171
171
171
171
171
171
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
13
—
13
13
13
13
|
7.5
7.0
6.1
7.0
7.0
7.1
|
|
172
172
172
172
172
172
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
13
—
12
13
13
13
|
5.0
5.5
5.0
5.4
5.0
5.0
|
Hogs moved tag; plant was OK.
|
173
173
173
173
173
173
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
10
|
4.8
4.9
4.6
5.3
5.5
6.1
|
|
174
174
174
174
174
174
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
10
—
12
13
13
13
|
5.2
5.9
5.2
6.5
6.0
6.9
|
|
175
175
175
175
175
175
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
3.6
4.1
3.1
4.0
3.5
4.4
|
|
176
176
176
176
176
176
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8+ (transition)
—
13
13
13
11
|
5.0
5.0
4.7
5.5
5.0
5.5
|
|
177
177
177
177
177
177
|
1
1
0
0
0
0
|
8
—
nd
nd
nd
nd
|
6.0
5.2
nd
nd
nd
nd
|
Dead. Compare July 2010 #168.
|
178
178
178
178
178
178
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
13
—
13
13
13
13
|
5.8
5.9
5.8
6.2
6.7
6.9
|
|
179
179
179
179
179
179
|
1
1
1
1
2
2
|
8
—
8
8
uncountable, 5
6, 8
|
4.5
4.2
3.3
4.3 1.5,
4.0 3.3,
4.1
|
|
180
180
180
180
180
180
|
1
1
1
1
1
3
|
13
—
12
13*
13
7, 7, 6
|
7.2
7.3
6.3
7.4
7.5
5.1, 3.9, 3.8
|
12 ribs with another intercalating from base. Plant blooming!
|
181
181
181
181
181
181
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
5
—
5
5
7
8
|
2.5
2.9
2.8
3.2
3.2
3.6
|
|
182
182
182
182
182
182
|
1
1
1
1
0
0
|
8 (barely)
—
7
nd*
nd
nd
|
2.8
4.0
3.2
4.1
nd
nd
|
Ribs not countable. Plant stepped on (by ungulate?).
|
183
183
183
183
183
183
|
1
1
nd
0
0
0
|
8
—
nd
nd
nd
nd
|
3.8
4.2
nd
nd
nd
nd
|
Hogs Presumed dead; carcass not found.
|
184
184
184
184
184
184
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
4.0
4.7
3.7
4.2
4.6
4.5
|
|
185
185
185
185
185
185
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
5
—
6
9
8
8
|
2.7
3.0
2.5
3.6
3.7
4.2
|
|
186
186
186
186
186
186
|
3
2
3
3
3
1
|
8, 8, 8
—
6, 7, 9
10, 5, 7
10, 5, 8
7
|
3.6, 2.4, 3.0
3.8, 2.1, nd
1.0, 1.9, 3.9
4.8, 1.6, 2.4
5.1, 2.0, 2.8
3.5
|
Plant injured & dug up (replanted).
|
187
187
187
187
187
187
|
2
2
2
2
2
2
|
8, 8
—
11, 9
8, 10
8, 8
13, 13
|
4.3, 5.0
4.5, 5.0
4.7, 4.6
5.2, 5.8
5.2, 5.7
5.3, 5.7
|
|
188
188
188
188
188
188
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
11
|
4.4
4.7
4.4
5.0
5.3
5.7
|
|
189
189
189
189
189
189
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
3.6
4.0
3.0
4.6
4.0
4.5
|
|
190
190
190
190
190
190
|
2
2
2
2
2
2
|
13, 13
—
13, 13
13, 13
13, 13
13, 13
|
6.4, 6.0
5.8, 5.5
6.0, 5.0
6.8. 6.1
6.5, 6.0
7.7, 6.9
|
|
191
191
191
191
191
191
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
3.8
3.3
3.0
4.3
4.5
5.4
|
|
192
192
192
192
192
192
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
5
—
5
5
5
8
|
2.6
2.8
2.1
3.3
3.5
4.6
|
|
193
193
193
193
193
193
|
3
3
3
3
3
3
|
10, 10, 10
—
10, 9, 10
10, 10, 10
10, 10, 10
10, 10, 10
|
4.5, 4.5, 5.0
4.0, 4.4, 4.7
3.5, 3.7, 4.2
5.0, 4.5, 4.5
5.0, 4.8, 4.7
5.5, 5.5, 5.4
|
|
194
194
194
194
194
194
|
2
2
2
2
2
0
|
8, 8
—
8, 8
8, 8
8, 8
nd
|
4.1, 3.2
3.9, 3.3
2.2, 3.2
4.2, 3.6
3.4, 2.9
nd
|
|
195
195
195
195
195
195
|
3
4
4
4
4
4
|
8, 8, 13
—
12, 8, 8, 5
13, 5, 8, 8
10, 5, 8, 8
8, 8, 8, 6
|
4.4, 4.0, 3.0
4.1, 1.8, 3.7, 2.9
3.8, 2.1, 3.3, 1.3
5.0, 1.7, 4.0, 3.0
4.2, 1.5, 3.4, 2.9
4.5, 3.8, 5.6, 2.5
|
|
196
196
196
196
196
196
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
8
—
8
8
8
8
|
3.0
3.0
2.5
3.6
3.4
4.3
|
|
197
197
197
197
197
197
|
1
2
3
3
1
1
|
10
—
9, 5, 5
11, 5, 5
11
11
|
4.9
4.5, 1.2
3.8, 2.0, 1.0
4.7, 2.0, 1.1
4.7
5.5
|
Tag not photographed in 2009.
|
198
198
198
198
198
198
|
1
1
nd
0
0
0
|
8
—
nd
nd
nd
nd
|
4.2
4.1
nd
nd
nd
nd
|
Hogs dug up.
Dug up by hogs again.
Hogs dug up, hung tag in Acacia.
We consider this plant to be dead.
|
199
199
199
199
199
199
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
10
—
9
8
9
8
|
4.8
4.6
4.5
5.0
5.5
5.5
|
|
200
200
200
200
200
200
|
1
1
1
1
1
1
|
11 (transition)
—
12
10
10
11
|
5.4
5.5
5.4
5.8
6.0
6.5
|
|
The 2012 data summary for
the control group
The 2011 data summary for
the control group
The 2010 data summary for
the control group
The 2014 data summary for
the regrowth group
The 2012 data summary for
the regrowth group
The 2011 data summary for
the regrowth group
The 2010 data summary for
the regrowth group
The 2012 data
summary for
the reharvest of the regrowth group at two year intervals
An additional 20 plants (#201-220) were
harvested during the November 2008 monitoring
to make up for what was
then
believed to be lost plants from the original group of 50 harvested
plants.
[The results
concerning
those twenty individuals. ]
Due to problems with rain we made no attempt to locate those plants in 2014.
Comments concerning control plant
#151:
In March 2010 we discovered that plant
number 151 had been decapitated by passing
porcine traffic. Its two broken heads were replanted by us near their
tag. In a late summer
visit that same year we found that one of the heads had again been
kicked out of the
ground
and was badly shriveled. It was once again replanted.
In March of 2011 we found the head that had taken
root in 2010 was quite healthy and growing whereas the
shrivelled one was nowhere to be found. More interestingly the original
plant #151 was located by virtue of it sending up new pups.
On 13 March 2012, neither broken crown we had
replanted could be located. The
original plant was still present showing new growth.
On 10 March 2014, the broken crowns we had
replanted could still not be located. The
original plant was showing new growth.
2014 comments:
The study we had originally intended was completed in 2012, so our visit
frequencies were reduced to every two years following that point.
It is
our intention to track the recovery process as long as possible, in
order to evaluate the mortality associated with two-year harvest cycles
and also to learn at what age the total regrowth will be the equivalent
of what was
originally harvested. Specifically to establish how long is required
between harvests in
order for peyote harvesting to be sustainable based on the available
biomass. Right now we only know
that period it is greater than four years but shortly we will have the
numbers crunched for 2014. There is also the secondary question of how
many years it takes for the mescaline content of the harvested plants
to recover to their preharvest levels. That too we only currently know
is a period greater than four years and establishing the actual time required lies someplace in the future.
A
new twist was added in 2014 in the
form of unmistakable evidence, in the form of hoofprints and cow-pies,
that cattle had been walking through the study site, primarily in the
upper numbers of the control group.
The study site 10 March 2014
If you would like to help
support additional
studies of this type, designed to answer basic questions that are
critical to the optimal stewardship/management of vulnerable cactus
species, please send a contribution,
of $25 USD or whatever amount you can afford, to the Cactus
Conservation Institute, 909 E. Sul Ross Ave., Alpine, TX 79830.
We also now accept donations via PayPal.
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