Lophophora williamsii aka Indian Dope

Lophophora williamsii, or peyote, belongs to the cactus family. It is a small, long-lived succulent with a low, rounded form. Its home range spans southern and southwestern Texas into northeastern Mexico. It grows in deserts and dry scrub with limestone soils. Most plants grow alone, though some form small groups. Growth is slow, and flowering may take 10 to 30 years.

The plant sits almost level with the soil surface. Garden plants reach about 0.17–0.25 feet [0.05–0.08 metres] tall. Their width ranges from 0.25–0.42 feet [0.08–0.13 metres]. A thick root beneath the stem has a carrot-like shape. The soft, fleshy stem is green with blue or grey tones. It has no spines and forms a low, flattened dome. Five to thirteen ribs divide the stem into rounded sections. The top dips inward at the centre. Small tufts of pale yellow or white hairs mark the raised parts.

White or pink flowers open at the centre of the stem. They bloom from May through September and last two or three days. Each flower spans about 0.04–0.08 feet [0.013–0.025 metres]. The flowers have inner and outer tepals with oval shapes. A berry follows the bloom and turns pink as it ripens. Fruit may take as long as a year to mature.

Peyote needs bright light without strong direct sun, or partial shade. Use a cactus mix or gravelly loam that drains well. It tolerates poor soil and drought, and favours alkaline soil. Give little water, then let the soil dry fully. Low humidity and moving air help limit fungal disease. NCSU lists USDA zones 10a through 11b for this species. It needs shelter from cold that could harm its tissues. Suggested growing temperatures range from 64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds, stem cuttings, and offsets offer ways to raise new plants.

Spider mites and mealybugs can attack the plant. Too much water can rot its roots. Native Americans have used dried stem pieces in medicine and religious rites. Peyote contains mescaline and other alkaloids that can cause hallucinations. Eating above-ground parts can also cause headache, dizziness, and blurred sight. Severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea may follow. NCSU rates its poison severity as low, but ingestion causes harm. Laws restrict growing, owning, selling, or using peyote in many places. Some laws allow Native American religious use; check local rules before cultivation.