Table of Contents
Trichocereus peruvianus — Identification
T. peruvianus (Peruvian Torch) is a spinier, often bluer relative of San Pedro. It is one of the most variable and taxonomically contested names in the genus.
At a glance
| Feature | T. peruvianus |
|---|---|
| Ribs | 6–9, often more pronounced than pachanoi |
| Spines | longer and stouter, commonly 1–4 cm (sometimes much longer); amber to brown/grey |
| Epidermis | frequently glaucous (blue-grey bloom), especially new growth |
| Areoles | larger, prominent |
| Habit | erect to leaning/sprawling; sometimes stouter/shorter than pachanoi |
| Native | Peru (many regional forms — Matucana, Rimac, etc.) |
Key identifying features
Look for heavier spination and a glaucous blue cast compared with pachanoi. Regional/collector forms (e.g. Matucana, Rimac) vary a lot in rib count, spine length and colour, which is why so many are simply labelled by their provenance.
Commonly confused with
- T. pachanoi — less spiny, greener, matte.
- T. bridgesii — often fewer ribs and more widely-spaced areoles.
- T. macrogonus — modern taxonomy treats macrogonus as the senior name that absorbs much of “peruvianus” (see macrogonus).
Examples from our archive
Community-submitted clones identified as T. peruvianus. Click a clone for its full page.
Matucana
Peruvianus Rick Yo — full page
T. Peruvianus Howard — full page
T. Peruvianus Rimac — full page
Part of the Trichocereus Species & ID Guide. This is a horticultural ID reference, not definitive taxonomy — Trichocereus species intergrade and their classification is debated. Example photos are community-submitted clones from our archive; click a clone for its page.