E4 - Carlos Ostolaza — The Mescaline Garden

*Carlos Ostolaza and his wife Carmen Rosa. Photo by Gpinoi.*

Carlos Ostalaza is likely the most influential author on Peruvian cactus. He’s written more than four books and dozens of articles on cactus and has been involved in determining more than 50 cactus names, including Trichocereus peruvianus ssp. puquiensis. Carlos advocates for listing Trichocereus peruvianus in Appendix I of CITES, in the hopes of protecting this species from wild harvesting for the production and export of San Pedro powder as a source of mescaline.