ZooL Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 I have heard a few times of cacti "oozing sap" as a result of some disease or infection, and that that sap can be extremely irritating or even more toxic than the toxic cacti it comes from, I'm guessing this is something like the cactus producing higher levels of it's deterrent compounds as if it were under attack. From the little i have read about what cacti use mescalin for it seems like it may be likely they use it to deter things eating them, if it is some deterrent compound could there be some way of exploiting this to effectively "milk" a cactus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Hillbillios Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 Are you sure the "cactus" in question were trichocereus? Could be someone was talking about euphorbia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooL Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 nah,I've not heard it in relation to trichocereus or any other mescaline containing cactus. I'm just wondering if the same could carry over to them. My thinking is along the lines of- I know you can sap tap some trees, the oozing of the cacti mentioned seemed to have higher concentrations of their predation deterrent compounds, mescalin may be a predation deterrent compound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Chuck Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Read once that all cactus contain mescaline, some more than others Have not seen or heard of cactus sap, apart from a euphorbia which is not a cactus, but like to keep an open mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooL Posted March 27 Author Share Posted March 27 (edited) I remember hearing or reading about it a few times, I don't remember exactly what and where though. Some could have been referring to euphorbia but I'm almost certain some mentions were of true cactus, opuntia was one i think i remember. Edit:But on the concentration is sap being more toxic, that may have just been euphorbia, my memory is a bit fuzzy these days. Edited March 27 by ZooL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyzygy Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 (edited) From a cut Opuntia (prickly pear) crystalline nodules sometimes appear around the central veins when healed, a bit like congealed sap. (If it oozes, it does so very slowly). I thought that might even have been the source of kefir "grains"? But I don't think there's much toxicity involved, as Opuntia is edible and even marketed as a superfood. Euphorbia sap, on the other hand, is said to be some nasty shit, avoid skin contact, etc. Edited March 27 by fyzygy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.