Lophophora williamsii

Lophophora williamsii is a species of cactus known for its psychoactive properties. It is commonly referred to as Peyote, a name derived from the Nahuatl word peyōtl, meaning "glisten" or "glistening".

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Charles Lemaire in 1845 as Echinocactus williamsii. The current accepted name, Lophophora williamsii, was given by John Merle Coulter in 1894. The genus name Lophophora is derived from the Ancient Greek words lophos (crest) and phero (to carry), referring to the ribbed and tufted appearance of the cacti. The species name williamsii is in honor of the 19th-century botanist Caleb Parry who collected the first specimens in Texas.

Description

Lophophora williamsii is a small, spineless cactus with a spherical or slightly elongated body. The plant is typically blue-green, reaching a height of 2-7 cm and a diameter of 4-12 cm. The cactus produces pink or white flowers in the spring and summer, which are followed by pink fruit.

Distribution and habitat

Lophophora williamsii is native to the Chihuahuan Desert and the South Texas Plains, extending into the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, and Zacatecas. It grows in arid and semi-arid environments, often in limestone-rich soils.

Uses

The primary use of Lophophora williamsii is for its psychoactive effects. The cactus contains several alkaloids, including mescaline, which is responsible for its hallucinogenic properties. It has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of the Americas, particularly the Native American Church, in religious and healing ceremonies.

Conservation status

Due to overharvesting for its psychoactive properties and habitat destruction, Lophophora williamsii is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

See also

• List of psychoactive plants
• Ethnobotany
• Cactaceae