Peyote Cactus Characteristics

Appearance

• The peyote cactus forms a green, globe shape. The globe appears slightly flattened. It stands approximately 2.5 inches tall and measures 5 inches in width. The globe has a slight, grayish fur covering. It exhibits dipped ribs along its surface. Clumps of hair appear on the globe that measure almost 1/2 inch in length. The peyote cactus grows singularly or in clusters. Pink flower buds emerge from the hair clumps. The buds open into flowers that measure up to 1 inch in diameter. Following flowering, the plant produces a pink berry. The plant forms a strong taproot, which appears similar to a common carrot, that allows it to garner water from the desert region.

History and Usage

• Native Americans harvested the peyote cactus to ingest during religious ceremonies. When ingested, the peyote renders hallucinations and illusions. The plant contains over a dozen alkaloids substances, such as anhalamine lophophorine, pellotine, anhalonidine, anhalamine, anhalonidine, anhalonidine and mescaline. When ingested dried or fresh, the plant may cause vomiting, gastric-intestinal pain, diarrhea, blurred vision, muscle relaxation, circulatory depression and pupil dilation. The plant has a low-toxicity risk. Users ingest peyote dried or fresh. Commercial harvest of the peyote takes place in Texas. The members of the Native American Church buy the plant for use in religious ceremonies.

Growth

• The pink, berrylike fruit of the peyote break open to release the seed. Rains wash the seed out of the fruit enclosures. The seedling usually begins to germinate in a protected location, such as rocky soil or beside the parent plant where it remains hidden from wildlife until it measures at least one-quarter of an inch. Birds may also help disperse the peyote cactus seeds. Young peyote cacti can tolerate shady conditions and continue to grow. In the spring, rain often floods the desert region. The hairs of the peyote help to catch plant debris as it flows past in the rushing water. The debris helps add compost to the surrounding soil around the plant.

Peyote Houseplant

• When grown as a houseplant, the peyote cactus prefers an indoor temperature of 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A desert plant, it prefers a low humidity level in the home. Place it in a south-facing or west-facing window, where it will receive full sunlight. Use a cactus potting mixture. Water the peyote cactus deeply but allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. The peyote requires less water during the winter months. Peyote cactus benefits from an application of water-soluble fertilizer during the spring. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.