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Peyote Lophophora williamsii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
loh-foh-FOR-ah wil-YAMS-ee-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Small, hemispherical, spineless, fleshy cactus with the low rounded sections bearing a tuft of yellow-white hairs at the summit. Naturally grows in gravelly clay and loam soils on gentle slopes and needs part shade. It is illegal in most of the western world.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#poisonous#succulent#pink flowers#slow growing#illegal#partial shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#poisonous#succulent#pink flowers#slow growing#illegal#partial shade tolerant
  • 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