Dumpling Cactus
Lophophora williamsii

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A solitary cactus. It can also form clumps 1 m wide. It is bluish-green and round. It is soft fleshed. It is 5-8 cm wide. They have turnip-like roots. The bodies do not have spines. There are 7-8 ribs or furrows across them. The pits have brush-like tufts of hair. The flowers are small and white, pink or yellow. They are 1.2-2.5 cm across.

There are 2-3 Lophophora species. In the USA a permit is required to have any part of this plant. The plant produces hallucinations. They contain 15-50 different alkaloids.

Where it is found

It requires a friable, mineral rich soil. It needs plenty of sunlight and warmth. It needs a temperature above 7°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant contains narcotics. It should not be eaten.

Edible parts

It is used as a drug.

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed, division or cuttings.

It grows slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Peyote, Devil's root, Mescal button, White mule, Peyotl, Cactus pudding, Challote, Diabolic root, Dry whiskey, Indian dope, Mescal, Pejotl, Peote, Piote, Poitl, Raiz diabolica, Tuna de tierra, Turnip cactus, Whiskey cactus, White mule

Synonyms

Lophophora echinata Croizat; Lophophora lutea Backeberg; Echinocactus williamsii Lemaire ex Salm-Dyck; Lophophora lewinii (K. Schumann) Rusby; Lophophora fricii Habermann; Lophophora williamsii var. fricii (Habermann) Grym; Lophophora diffusa subsp. fricii (Habermann) Halda; Lophophora jourdaniana Habermann;