Information About Lophophora

Last Updated on Sunday, 24 April 2011 07:51

Introduction to Lophophora Williamsii

Lophophora In Bloom

Ever since the arrival of the first Europeans in the New World, Lophophora Williamsii or "peyote cactus" has provoked debate and suppression in equal measures. These charming spineless and rare lophophora cacti produce beautiful blooms and are alleged to have a variety of medical uses. Increasingly endangered in their natural habitat, this species deserves conservation. Condemned by the Spanish conquerors for its “satanic trickery”, and attacked more recently by local governments and religious groups, Peyote Cacti have nevertheless continued to play a major sacramental role among the Indians of Mexico. The use of lophophora Williamsii has spread to the North American tribes in the last hundred years. It was one of the first new world shamanistic plants to be discovered by Europeans "explorers" and was unquestionably the most spectacular vision inducing plant encountered by the Spanish. They found Peyote cacti firmly established in native religions, and their efforts to stamp out this practice drove it into hiding where its sacramental use has persisted to this day.

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A mature Lophophora Williamsii plant that produces multiple blooms over the summer season and even more than one flower at a time is typically over ten years old. As plants mature they produce multiple blooms simultaneously. Some two to three months after flowering reddish seed pods emerge from the base of the now dried flower. Given time to mature and dry while attached to the plant, these seeds pods can be harvested and provide a ready supply of viable and easy to propagate peyote seedlings.

Mature Lophophora

Lophophora are self fertile so even if you have only one plant you too can soon have your own little cacti colony.There is some great content on the propagation, care and nurturing of cacti on the web so we are not going to try and compete with those excellent sites. More information, history and cultivation tips will be uploaded on this and other subjects in the coming weeks.