An illustrated commentary created by Keeper Trout
(That is a bona fide Trichocereus (Echinopsis) pachanoi flower in the header above;
a pachanot is shown below.)
↑ The subject of our conversation ↑
This could become a fairly complex discussion but it is best to start simple and try to keep it that way.
At one point, just to have a fairly short way of referring to it, I started referring to this as Trichocereus pachanoi PC or, sometimes even more lazily as the PC, I did not however coin either one, but I also have some questions so far as regarding this as a bona fide pachanoi so for that, and a couple of reasons that will be touched on later, I will tongue-in-cheek start referring to our beloved horticultural “San Pedro” as Trichocereus pachanot.
The usage of that name in this article is not any suggestion that this either is or should actually become its name, it is simply what I will be using to refer to it here during this look into what I hope will prove to be a fun bit of cactus identification trivia. My other option would be a more subtle pachano but, as Pachano was the proper name of the amazing scientist who was quite deservedly San Pedro’s namesake, pachanot it is.
I also should emphasize that any companies who are selling this plant as Trichocereus pachanoi are not doing anything wrong or being deceptive. This is now the primary horticultural form that is widely known and recognized as pachanoi in the USA. Many amateur cactophiles and professional growers alike are completely unfamiliar with anything else and it takes most people some effort simply to find any of the other forms. It is not clear exactly what percentage of the available horticultural pachanoi in the USA is presently comprised of the pachanot but it is certainly well in excess of 90% and possibly may even be in excess of 99%. In most retail plant outlets it is 100%.
I also intend no slight to this gorgeous plant as the pachanot is one of my all-time favorite flowering cacti.
The questions being posed here are still valid and worthy of some reflection.
The topic revolves around a deceptively simple observation made by Michael S. Smith:
What is most commonly recognized as Trichocereus pachanoi in the USA differs from the published description for Trichocereus pachanoi.
Be the judge for yourself and please enjoy the following illustrated commentaries.
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Smith’s observations
with excerpts from some published descriptions. -
Topic 1: Backeberg’s clone
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Topic 2: pachanoi compared to pachanot.
Additional material to ponder:
If you would like to download a free PDF copy
of the abridged 2012 original including some edits –
Pachanoi or Pachanot? (This pdf file is at DropBox.)
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