Misidentification of cacti is common, particularly concerning the protected species Lophophora williamsii, known as Peyote. This small, spineless cactus is celebrated for its psychoactive properties, leading to high demand that has threatened its wild populations. The search for this plant has resulted in many non-psychoactive or potentially toxic species being mistakenly labeled, sold, or harvested as “False Peyote.” Botanical lookalikes often share a similar size or shape, making correct identification essential for both conservation and personal safety.
Characteristics of True Peyote
The genuine peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii, is a slow-growing, low-profile plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert regions of northern Mexico and southern Texas. Its body is typically small, ranging from two to five inches in diameter, appearing as a dome-like, flattened sphere that often grows nearly flush with the soil surface. The plant is characterized by a distinctive bluish-green or grayish-green epidermis that is thick and spineless.
The surface is divided into five to thirteen low, rounded ribs, which are generally straight or slightly spiraled. Along these ribs are areoles, which are small, woolly tufts of pale yellow to white hair. A defining feature is its large, fleshy, carrot-shaped taproot, anchoring the plant deeply into the gravelly, limestone-rich soil. The plant’s significance is linked to its chemistry, containing a high concentration of the psychoactive alkaloid mescaline, sometimes reaching up to six percent of the dried weight.
Identifying the Common False Peyote Species
Several desert cacti are frequently confused with Lophophora williamsii, but distinct morphological differences allow for accurate identification. The Star Cactus, Astrophytum asterias, is a common lookalike that shares the small, dome-like, spineless appearance. However, A. asterias is easily distinguishable by the numerous tiny, bright white specks of matted hair covering its stem, giving it a speckled appearance that Lophophora lacks.
The Star Cactus typically exhibits eight low, rounded ribs. Its flowers are usually yellow with a reddish-orange base, contrasting with the pink or white flowers of true peyote. Astrophytum asterias also has a more fibrous root system, unlike the prominent taproot of Lophophora williamsii.
The Living Rock Cactus, Ariocarpus fissuratus, often grows in similar habitats to peyote. It is characterized by a body made up of many small, flattened, triangular tubercles that are split by a deep, transverse furrow, which is the source of its name. This cracked, fissured texture is dramatically different from the smooth, ribbed appearance of peyote. The tubercles of A. fissuratus also have a hard, horny upper surface and the plant can appear more yellowish or brownish-tinted with age.
The Big Nipple Cactus, Coryphantha macromeris, is another species sometimes mistaken for peyote, though its structure is fundamentally different. This cactus is not spineless, as it possesses soft, flexible spines emerging from the areoles, a feature entirely absent in mature Lophophora williamsii. C. macromeris also has large, elongated, conical tubercles that are much more pronounced and finger-like than the low, rounded ribs of peyote.
Safety and Toxicity of Peyote Lookalikes
Consuming any unidentified cactus is dangerous due to the varying chemical compositions and potential for toxicity. The lookalikes fall into different categories regarding their effects, none of which safely replicate the experience of true peyote. For instance, the Star Cactus, Astrophytum asterias, is generally considered inert and harmless, though historical accounts suggest it was used as a peyote substitute by the Tarahumara.
The Living Rock Cactus, Ariocarpus fissuratus, contains a range of alkaloids, but it notably lacks mescaline. Instead, it contains compounds such as N-methyltyramine and hordenine, which are centrally active but often present in doses too small to be psychoactive. Although historically used as a “false peyote,” its ingestion can still lead to unpredictable or adverse physiological effects.
Coryphantha macromeris is chemically distinct and can be psychoactive, containing the alkaloid macromerine. Macromerine is structurally related to mescaline and is considered the major psychoactive compound in this plant, though its effects differ significantly. The consumption of any unknown alkaloid can result in severe symptoms, including intense nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal distress, highlighting the risk of misidentification.