Scientific Name
Lophophora williamsii (Lem.) J.M.Coult.
Common Names
Peyote, Peyōtl, Cactus Pudding, Devil's-Root, Diabolic-Root, Divine Cactus, Dry-Whiskey, Dumpling Cactus, Indian-Dope, Mescal-Button, Mescal-Buttons, Turnip Cactus, Whiskey Cactus, White-Mule
Synonyms
Echinocactus lewinii, Lophophora williamsii var. lutea, Echinocactus williamsii, Mammillaria lewinii, Lophophora williamsii var. lewinii, Lophophora lewinii, Anhalonium lewinii, Lophophora jourdaniana, Lophophora fricii, Lophophora williamsii var. echinata, Lophophora echinata, Lophophora lutea, Anhalonium williamsii, Lophophora williamsii var. fricii
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Lophophora
Description
Lophophora williamsii is a solitary spineless cactus with blue-green, yellow-green or sometimes reddish green stem. It is very succulent, globular, up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) diameter, with a woolly top. Round spineless areoles, bearing flowers only when young with some bunches of long erect, matted, wooly greyish hairs, up to 0.4 inch (1 cm) long. Peyote has pink or white to slightly yellowish, sometimes reddish flowers, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) across. The fruit is club-shaped, red to pinkish, up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Lophophora is more tolerant of soil types than its relatives, and typically grows in areas which have decomposed limestone present in the soil. In cultivation, Lophophora does best in a fast draining mineral based soil which is about two thirds sand. Abundant water is beneficial in the summer months when the temperatures are over 90 °F (32 °C) and exposed to full sunlight for maximum growth, but must be allowed to dry out completely between waterings. They should also be fertilized twice a year. Over fertilizing will typically result in the Lophophora developing cracks and splitting. – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Lophophora
Origin
Peyote is native to southwestern Texas and Mexico.
Links
- Back to genus Lophophora
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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