Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as Peyote, is a small, slow-growing, spineless cactus native to North America. It is distinguished by its soft body and the complete absence of the sharp, rigid spines typically associated with cacti. Identification focuses on a few distinct physical traits that set it apart from other desert flora.
The Button Structure and Size
The visible part of the Peyote cactus is a squat, disc-like or flattened globe structure often called the “button” or crown. This above-ground portion is actually the stem of the plant, and it typically remains small, usually measuring between 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 centimeters) in diameter. The stem tissue is notably soft and fleshy, serving as a reservoir for water to survive long periods of drought.
The color of the button ranges from a pale blue-green to a grayish-green, with some specimens exhibiting reddish or yellowish tones depending on environmental factors like sun exposure and soil composition. The surface of the mature plant is smooth to the touch. A significant portion of the plant is hidden beneath the soil, anchored by a large, fleshy, carrot-shaped taproot that can extend deep into the ground.
Areoles and Woolly Tufts
A closer look at the button’s surface reveals a series of low, rounded sections, or ribs, that segment the body of the cactus. The Peyote button is typically divided into a varying number of these ribs, usually ranging from 5 to 13, separated by straight or spiral furrows.
Along the crest of these ribs are the areoles, which are small, slightly raised bumps where the plant’s growth originates. Instead of producing spines, the areoles of a mature Peyote plant sprout dense tufts of fine, woolly hairs, known botanically as trichomes. These are the plant’s most unique visual feature, appearing as soft, matted clumps of white, grayish, or yellowish wool. The persistent tufts of wool can measure up to 15 millimeters long and are equally spaced along the ribs, often collecting in the depressed center of the crown.
Geographic Range and Environment
The natural distribution of Lophophora williamsii is restricted to a specific region of southern North America. Its limited native habitat is primarily the Chihuahuan Desert, which spans parts of northern Mexico and southern Texas. In the United States, the cactus is found only in a narrow strip of land in South Texas, near the Rio Grande.
The plant thrives in a specialized environment, favoring rocky, shallow soils that are rich in limestone. This alkaline soil, often found on limestone hills, provides the geological conditions the plant requires. Peyote is found growing in desert scrub or thorn scrub at elevations ranging from about 330 to 4,920 feet (100 to 1,500 meters) above sea level. It often grows partially concealed beneath protective nurse plants, such as shrubs, which help to conserve moisture in the arid climate.