peyote
Lophophora williamsii · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (60 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
Peyote, scientifically known as Lophophora williamsii, is a small, spineless cactus native to the Chihuahuan Desert. Renowned for its psychoactive properties, it contains mescaline, a potent alkaloid used in sacred indigenous rituals. This slow-growing perennial is currently threatened by overharvesting, making its conservation a critical global priority.
Names
Common Names
- Indian-dope
- cactus pudding
- devil's-root
- diabolic-root
- divine cactus
- dry-whiskey
- dumpling cactus
- mescal-button
- mescal-buttons
- turnip cactus
- whiskey cactus
- white-mule
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Lophophora lewinii
- Echinocactus pseudo lewinii thompsonii
- Lophophora echinata var. lutea
- Lophophora lutea
- Lophophora williamsii var. pentagona
- Lophophora diffusa ssp fricii
- Lophophora lutea var texana
- Echinocactus williamsii
- Lophophora williamsii var decipiens
- Péyotl
- Lophophora jourdaniana
- Lophophora williamsii var pluricostata
- Peyotl
- Lophophora lutea var. texana
- Lophophora williamsii var echinata
- Lophophora diffusa ssp. fricii
- Peyote
German:
- Echinocactus williamsii
French:
- Peyotl
- Peyote
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Lophophora williamsiiSynonyms
- Ariocarpus williamsii
- Echinocactus williamsianus
- Mammillaria lewinii
- Lophophora pluricostata
- Echinocactus lewinii
- Lophophora jourdaniana
- Echinocactus lewinii
- Lophophora lewinii
- Echinocactus williamsii
- Lophophora lewinii
- Echinocactus williamsii var. anhaloninicus
- Lophophora lutea
- Echinocactus williamsii var. luteus
- Lophophora pentagona
- Echinocactus williamsii var. pellotinicus
- Lophophora echinata
- Lophophora williamsii var. cristata
- Lophophora williamsii subsp. grymii
- Lophophora lutea var. texana
- Anhalonium lewinii
- Lophophora echinata var. lutea
- Anhalonium williamsii
- Lophophora williamsii var. texana
- Lophophora williamsii var. pluricostata
- Lophophora williamsii var. pentagona
- Lophophora williamsii var. lutea
- Lophophora williamsii var. lewinii
- Lophophora williamsii var. echinata
- Lophophora williamsii var. decipiens
- Mammillaria williamsii
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Lophophora williamsii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Caryophyllales and the family Cactaceae. Ultimately, it is placed within the genus Lophophora.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Cactaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lophophora | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across North America. In the South-Central United States, it can be found within the state of Texas. Its range extends significantly into Mexico as well. Within Mexico, the species is documented in the Northeast region. Additionally, it is present throughout the Southwest part of the country.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
Chemicals
Lophophora williamsii has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include mescaline, Anhalamine, Anhalidine, Anhalinine, Anhalonidine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| mescaline | 6 supporting sources | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anhalamine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anhalidine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anhalinine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anhalonidine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anhalonine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candicine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hordenine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L-dopa | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L-tyrosine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
mescaline
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of natural medicines
- Revista de neurologia
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Current biology : CB
View 1 additional sources
- The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
Anhalamine
- Dr. Duke
Anhalidine
- Dr. Duke
Anhalinine
- Dr. Duke
Anhalonidine
- Dr. Duke
Anhalonine
- Dr. Duke
Candicine
- Dr. Duke
Hordenine
- Dr. Duke
L-dopa
- The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
L-tyrosine
- The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
Activities
Lophophora williamsii has 31 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Psychoactive, Adrenergic, Antiaggregant, Antiasthmatic, Antidiarrheic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaggregant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiasthmatic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiarrheic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifeedant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bronchorelaxant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CNS-Active | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CNS-Depressant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer-Preventive | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lophophora williamsii has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alcoholism, hallucinogens.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| alcoholism | The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hallucinogens | Revista de neurologia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |