Definition

Noun: 1. A genus of small, spineless cacti: Lophophora is the botanical genus name for a small group of cacti native to northeastern Mexico and the southwestern United States. These plants are characterized by their rounded, button-like shape, lack of prominent spines, and a surface covered with distinct, raised tubercles.

Usage

• , commonly known as peyote, is the most famous species within the genus .
• Botanists study the unique alkaloids found in .
• The cultivation of is subject to legal restrictions in many countries due to its psychoactive properties.

Advanced Usage

• In Ethnobotany and Anthropology: The term is used in academic contexts to discuss the historical and cultural use of these cacti, particularly , in indigenous rituals and traditional medicine.
• In Horticulture: Among cactus enthusiasts, refers to specific cultivation techniques for these slow-growing, globular cacti, often grown from seed.

Variants and Related Words

• Lophophora williamsii (n): The specific species name for the peyote cactus.
• Lophophora diffusa (n): Another species within the genus, sometimes considered less potent.
• Mescal button (n): A common name for the dried disc-shaped tops of the cactus, which are used traditionally.

Synonyms

• Peyote cactus (n): A common name specifically for .
• Mescal (n): A traditional name, though this can also refer to an agave-derived spirit, leading to potential confusion.

Notes on Meaning

The primary meaning of Lophophora is strictly taxonomic, referring to the genus of cacti. Its notoriety stems almost entirely from the psychoactive properties of Lophophora williamsii (peyote), which contains the alkaloid mescaline. In non-scientific contexts, "peyote" is far more common than the genus name Lophophora.

Noun

1. two species of small cacti of northeastern Mexico and southwestern United States having rounded stems covered with jointed tubercles: mescal