A few weeks ago I posted on my fruit bearing Epithelantha micromeris (SB1327; near Belen, New Mexico) plants. The color of the fresh fruit is a bright pinkish red that changes to a deep, warm, saturated blood red color as the fruit dries. 
Epithelantha micromeris with dry fruits
In close-up the Epithelantha micromeris fruits are strangely reminiscent of small (weirdly colored ;-) cacao pods.
Close-up of dry Epithelantha micromeris fruits
When the last rays of the setting autumn sun shine on the fruits they assume an out of this world, glowing warm red color. I tried to capture it in the photo below but it doesn't quite do justice to the shimmering, radiant quality of the color (as should be evident by now I'm a sucker for the amazing palette of red nuances displayed by these little fruits ;-)
Fruits lit by the setting sun
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1 day ago
ive heard these cacti have medicinal properties, know anything about it dude?
ReplyDeleteDude? Whatever you might think I'm not Lebowski ;-)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the medicinal properties of Epithelantha micromeris, Carl Lumholtz states the following in his book Unknown Mexico :
"Besides hikuli wanamé [peyote] ordinarily used, the Tarahumares know and worship the following varieties:
1. Mulato (Mammilaria micromeris).—This is believed to make the eyes large and clear to see sorcerers, to prolong life and to give speed to the runners."
Mammillaria micromeris being a synonym of Epithelantha micromeris. You can find the Project Gutenberg version of volume 1 of the book here.
Michael S. Smith elaborates on this in Narcotic and Hallucinogenic Cacti of the New World: "E. micromeris is valued by the Tarahumara as 'híkuli mulato,' the 'dark skinned peyote.' Why it is considered 'dark skinned' is not fully understood as the plant has very small white spines almost completely hiding its green epidermis. It is likely the name has a much more symbolic rather than literal meaning. Epithelantha micromeris is credited with great intellectual and moral qualities. Its fruits are laid before the altar in ceremonies and it had continued to play a minor part in Tarahumara festivals well into the 20th century. The 'medicine' is said to give speed to runners, prolong life, and make the eyes large and clear to be able to see sorcerers. It, and its fruit, are ingested as a stimulant and protector by runners, but are considered less effective than L. williamsii or A. fissuratus. [...] In addition to alkaloids, five triterpenes and one sterol have been reported from within E. micromeris."
Adam Gottlieb probably also has something to say in Peyote and Other Psychoactive Cacti but I wouldn't trust his information too much unless it is seconded by a more reliable source.