Lophophora williamsii

Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M. Coult., Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 3(2): 131 131 1894. (syn: Anhalonium lewinii Henn. (Unresolved); Anhalonium williamsii (Lem.) C.F.Först. (Unresolved); Echinocactus williamsii Lem. (Unresolved); Lophophora lewinii (Hennings ex Lewin) C.H. Thomps.; Mammillaria lewinii (Henn.) H.Karst. (Unresolved));

cactus pudding,^[3] devil’s-root,^[3] diabolic-root,^[3] divine cactus,^[3] dry-whiskey,^[3] dumpling cactus,^[3] Indian-dope,^[3] mescal-buttons,^[3] turnip cactus,^[3] whiskey cactus,^[3] and white-mule.^[3];

It is native to southwestern Texas and Mexico.

The various species of the genus Lophophora grow low to the ground and they often form groups with numerous, crowded shoots. The blue-green, yellow-green or sometimes reddish green shoots are mostly flattened spheres with sunken shoot tips. They can reach heights of from 2 to 7 centimeters (0.79 to 2.8 in) and diameters of 4 to 12 centimeters (1.6 to 4.7 in). There are often significant, vertical ribs consisting of low and rounded or hump-like bumps. From the cusp areoles arises a tuft of soft, yellowish or whitish woolly hairs. Spines are absent. Flowers are pink or white to slightly yellowish, sometimes reddish. They open during the day, are from 1 to 2.4 centimeters long, and reach a diameter from 1 to 2.2 centimeters.

The cactus produces flowers sporadically; these are followed by small edible pink fruit. The club-shaped to elongated, fleshy fruits are bare and more or less rosy colored. At maturity, they are brownish-white and dry. The fruits do not burst open on their own and they are between 1.5 and 2 centimeters long. They contain black, pear-shaped seeds that are 1 to 1.5 mm long and 1 mm wide. The seeds require hot and humid conditions to germinate. (Ref. Wikipedia– 11.3.13);