Lophophora williamsii
Peyote
Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as peyote, is a small, slow-growing cactus native to the Chihuahuan Desert. Renowned for its potent psychoactive alkaloid, mescaline, this sacred plant holds profound spiritual significance in indigenous cultures. It is widely studied for its complex pharmacological properties and its profound impact on human consciousness.
- Scientific name: Lophophora williamsii
- Family: Cactaceae
- Native range: Northern America
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 |
Common Names
This plant, Lophophora williamsii, is widely recognized by its various common names across different Chinese-speaking regions. In simplified Chinese, which is used in mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and other areas, it is known as 乌羽玉. Similarly, in traditional Chinese characters used in Taiwan (zh-hans), Hong Kong (zh-hk), and other regions, it is referred to as 烏羽玉.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 乌羽玉 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 烏羽玉 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 烏羽玉 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 乌羽玉 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 乌羽玉 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 烏羽玉 | Wikidata |
| pl | jazgrza Williamsa | Wikidata |
| eu | Peiote | Wikidata |
| nah | Peyōtl | Wikidata |
| fr | Peyotl | Wikidata |
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 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include mescaline, dopamine, l-DOPA, l-tyrosine.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| mescaline | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| dopamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| l-DOPA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| l-tyrosine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Lophophora williamsii has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hallucinogenic, Psychoactive, Psychotropic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hallucinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Psychoactive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Psychotropic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lophophora williamsii has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alcoholism, hallucinogens.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alcoholism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hallucinogens | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |