Lophophora

Lophophora is the genus containing the Peyote, about which much has been written. It has been described as a source of mescaline, a mind-altering alkaloid, as well as studied for its long use religiously and medicinally by the native Americans. The name 'Lophophora' comes from the Greek for 'crest bearer', referring to the tufts of hair that adorn the tubercles of some member of the genus. A number of species have been described, many based mostly on specimens in cultivation. They are now generally included in Lophophora willamsii. The legality of owning these cacti in the USA, or in other parts of the world is questionable because of the local drug laws. This is unfortunate because it is an attractive cactus, and cultivated specimens don't contain enough alkaloid to make them a risk to the society. Species and varieties Lophophora diffusa (Peyote) Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora diffusa var. koehresii synonym of Lophophora diffusa (Peyote) Lophophora diffusa ssp. fricii synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora diffusa ssp. viridescens synonym of Lophophora diffusa (Peyote) Lophophora echinata synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora echinata var. diffusa synonym of Lophophora diffusa (Peyote) Lophophora fricii synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora jourdaniana synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora lewinii synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora lutea synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora viridescens synonym of Lophophora diffusa (Peyote) Lophophora williamsii var. echinata synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora williamsii var. fricii synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora williamsii var. koehresii synonym of Lophophora diffusa (Peyote) Lophophora williamsii var. lewinii synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi) Lophophora williamsii var. lutea synonym of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote, Peyotl, Jiculi)

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