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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Mammillaria Form
Mammillaria vetula Small potted cactus with short white spines
Parodia A cluster of bright red flowers with many petals and stamens.
Lophophora williamsii has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage

Divine Cactus Lophophora williamsii

Previously known as:

  • Echinocactus williamsii
  • Lophophora echinata
  • Mammillaria williamsii
Phonetic Spelling
loh-foh-FOR-ah WIL-yam-see-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Peyote is a succulent subshrub and a species of hallucinogenic cactus that is native to South and Southwest, Texas and Northeast Mexico. It is typically found in limestone soils of the desert or dry shrubland. Peyote is low-growing, small, solitary and rarely grow in clusters, grayish-green or bluish-green, and spineless. The plant is slow-growing and takes 10 to 30 years for it to mature and flower. It is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). The species was dedicated to Mr. Williams, a zealous amateur from the London area ["...dédié à M. Williams, zélé amateur des environs de Londres."].

This plant prefers bright, indirect light or partial shade.  It naturally grows in gravelly well-drained loam soils or may be also grown in a well-drained cactus potting mix. Water this plant sparingly and allow it to dry out completely between waterings. It is drought and poor soil tolerant. Low humidity and temperatures between 64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are recommended. The plant needs protection from exposure to cold temperatures to prevent damage. The plant may be propagated by seeds, stem cuttings, or division of pups.

Peyote grows nearly flush with the soil surface, and it is up to 5 inches wide and up to 3 inches above the ground and has fleshy, carrot-shaped roots. The stems are soft, spineless, fleshy, flat, and nearly hemispherical or globular-like with the low rounded sections bearing a tuft of yellow-white hairs at the summit. The stems are depressed in the center and have 5 to 13 ribs. The flowers appear in the center of the stem and measure 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter. They have elliptic-shaped outer and inner tepals. The white to pink flowers bloom during the summer from May to September.  After flowering, a berry fruit is produced that will ripen up to one year later.

The peyote contains psychoactive alkaloids including mescaline, which has hallucinogenic effects. The sale, use or possession of the dried "buttons" or live plants is federally prohibited in many places; however, there are exemptions for use in religious rites of Native Americans. Peyote is illegal in most parts of the Western world. Check with your federal, state, and local authorities before using or cultivating this plant. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites and mealybugs can occur and are its primary pests. Overwatering can cause root rot. Low humidity and good air circulation is required to prevent fungal diseases.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa
    olive green, globose, and smooth texture
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#succulent#pink flowers#slow growing#low maintenance#illegal#rounded#clumping#cactus#partial shade tolerant#perennial#poor soil tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa
    olive green, globose, and smooth texture
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa
Tags:
#poisonous#drought tolerant#succulent#pink flowers#slow growing#low maintenance#illegal#rounded#clumping#cactus#partial shade tolerant#perennial#poor soil tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lophophora
    Species:
    williamsii
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the cut and dried buttons of the plant for medical purposes and in their religious ceremonies. The plant contains narcotics and will cause hallucinations if chewed. To possess any part of this plant in the United States requires a federal permit. It has nearly been eliminated in Texas.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwest and South Texas to Northeast Mexico
    Distribution:
    Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, and Texas
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 5 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Pink
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a berry that turns pink with ripening. The fruits will ripen up to one year after flowering.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Tepals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are 0.5 to 1-inch in diameter, white or pink, and bloom in May through September. The blooms appear at the center of the plant and last about 2 to 3 days.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are soft, spineless, fleshy, flat, and are nearly hemispherical or globular-like with the low rounded sections bearing a tuft of yellow-white hairs at the summit. The stems are depressed in the center and have 5 to 13 ribs.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
  • 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