CACTUS PLAZA

 

Cactus Plants

The interesting family of cactus plants (Cactaceae) consists of around 300 genera with a combined total of approximately 2500 species of cacti. The Cactaceae are a very special group of plants because they are adapted and tolerant to usually harsh growing conditions. Many Cactus plants have thorns. This makes them unique as well as impressive in the plant world. The cactus thorns function as a manner to acpture moisture from the air and they also deter plant eating animals. This deterring is also done by certain alkaloides which some cacti posess. Lophophora williamsii (Peyote) is a good example of a cactus with such deterring alkaloides.

 

Lophophora plants

Lophophora, the famous (for some infamous) Peyote cactus is well know and there are many names for varieties and variations within the Lophophora family. The main species which are currently recognized are Lophophora diffusa, Lophophora fricii and Lophophora williamsii (Peyote). The plants are native to regions in Mexico and southern parts of the USA.

Cultivation

Lophophora cactus species are best grown in a mineral soil. Add clay and limestone (pulverized) to the soil mix to improve health and growth. These cacti need a warm and sunny spot to grow and flower. Be careful with younger plants. They need filtered sunlight and need to be watered more often then adult plants. In winter keep your Lophophora cacti dry at a temperature of 5-10 °C.

Synonyms

Anhalonium (Lem.), Peyote