THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAM


      Jump to the most recently updated pages: (dates are of latest revision)
      Associated plants project for Astrophytum asterias and the Lophophora species
          (Still in-progress but online for review and public input)       - 6 August 2011
      Regrowth study updated - 29 March 2011
      Online library - 5 November 2010
      Ogunbodede et al. photo page - 13 August 2010
      Lophophora images: internal links page - 23 May 2010
      2010 regrowth data is online - 10 April 2010
      Links page update - 11 April 2010
      Lophophora flower page update - 3 April 2010


    Some of our concerns and questions
    & our ongoing 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 Astro/Lopho papers published in 2006.
      (including bibliographic citations)


      
    The progress that we've made.



      
    Projects already underway or planned for the future include the following:


      A. Practical projects with direct implications for active conservation.

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

          Thanks to the generous support of a cactus conservationist we now have funding for this project!
              Our sincere thanks and deepest appreciation goes to Libbie Winston Mize for graciously supporting this important and timely study.

      The preliminary but encouraging data that has been gathered.


         2)  A field study of peyote, to identify and demonstrate inputs/techniques to improve the production of peyote in its natural habitat.

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

         CCI's propagation & cultivation suggestions are now online.

    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


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


      How can you help?


         

        We are most grateful and pleased to announce the receipt of a generous gift of $10,000 from the SF Foundation!
            This money will be used primarily for the funding of conservation studies such as those proposed on this website, with the specific possibility that some of the funds will also be used to build or repair a greenhouse in a manner suitable for regulatory purposes in order to accomodate studies designed to generate greenhouse cultivaton data.



    Please enjoy our featured articles:

    A Tale of Two Cacti

    by Dana M. Price & Martin Terry


    Button, button, who's got the button?

    by Martin Terry


    Conservation of Lophophora in Mexico
    by Martin Terry


    Flora of the Dead Horse Mountains
    by Joselyn Fenstermachter




    Cactus Conservation Institute