Lophophora williamsii

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Lophophora

  Species:

  williamsii

  Family:

  Cactaceae

  Uses (Ethnobotany):

  Used in Native American ceremonies

  Life Cycle:

  Perennial

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Southwestern USA, Mexico

  Distribution:

  Southern Texas and northern Mexico.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Poisonous

  Succulent

  Habit/Form:

  Rounded

  Growth Rate:

  Slow

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

  Soil Texture:

  Clay

  Loam (Silt)

  Shallow Rocky

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Pink

  Fruit Type:

  Berry

  Fruit Description:

  Pink when ripe

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Gold/Yellow

  Pink

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Head

  Flower Shape:

  Saucer

  Flower Petals:

  7 - 20 petals/rays

  Flower Description:

  0.5 to 1-inch flowers from the center of the plant

• Leaves:

  Hairs Present:

  No

• Stem:

  Stem Color:

  Blue

  Gold/Yellow

  Green

  White

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

  Stem Description:

  Low rounded sections bearing a tuft of yellow-white hairs at the summit

• Landscape:

  Problems:

  Poisonous to Humans

• Poisonous to Humans:

  Poison Severity:

  Low

  Poison Symptoms:

  CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Fresh or dried pieces of all parts above-ground ("peyote buttons") cause illusions, hallucinations, headache, pupil dilation, blurred vision, muscular relaxation, dizziness, circulatory depression, and severe stomach pain with vomiting and diarrhea.

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Alkaloids mescaline, lophophorine, and others

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  No

  Poison Part:

  Stems