Lophophora koehresii
| Light | Bright light with a little shade from the harshest afternoon sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; let the mix dry fully between waterings, keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Very free-draining, mostly mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed (primary); rarely offsets |
| Toxicity | Not considered toxic to cats and dogs, but see Legal status below |
Lophophora koehresii is a small, soft-bodied, spineless cactus from the state of San Luis Potosí in north-central Mexico. It is one of the more slender members of Lophophora, with narrow, well-defined tubercles and pale flowers — white to soft pink with a distinct darker pink midstripe down each petal — that set it apart from its rounder, chunkier relatives. Unlike the well-known peyote (Lophophora williamsii), L. koehresii is a low-alkaloid species carrying little mescaline.
Description
Lophophora koehresii forms a small, flattened to slightly domed body, usually solitary but sometimes clustering with age, sitting atop a thick taproot that anchors it in habitat. The body is a soft grey-green and, like all Lophophora, completely spineless — the areoles instead bear small tufts of woolly hair. Its tubercles are comparatively narrow and neatly defined, giving the plant a more sculpted, less blocky look than the broad, rounded ribs of peyote.
Flowers open from the woolly crown in the warmer months. They are relatively large and showy for the genus, white to pale pink, and marked with a clear pink to magenta midstripe running the length of each tepal — one of the easiest ways to recognise the species. Small pinkish fruits follow, ripening to release fine black seed.
Distribution and habitat
The species is restricted to a limited area in San Luis Potosí, where it grows on flats and gentle slopes, often in silty or clay-rich soils that stay firmer and hold moisture longer than the pure grit many cacti prefer. It typically grows low among grasses and other low vegetation that give it dappled shade, and in dry spells the body can contract down toward the soil, becoming inconspicuous.
Like all cacti, L. koehresii has a naturally narrow range and is vulnerable to habitat disturbance and over-collection from the wild. The whole genus is listed under CITES Appendix II. Nursery-propagated, seed-grown plants are the responsible and legal way to grow it; collecting from habitat is not.
Cultivation
Lophophora koehresii is grown much like other members of the genus and is not difficult if you respect its dislike of standing moisture. Give it a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a pot deep enough to accommodate the taproot, and site it in bright light with just a little protection from the fiercest afternoon sun. Water thoroughly once the mix has dried right through, then let it dry again; keep the plant dry and cool over winter to firm it up and encourage flowering.
Because this species comes from heavier, moisture-retentive soils in habitat, some growers find it a touch more forgiving of water in growth than the desert-flat peyote — but overwatering and a slow-draining mix remain the quickest ways to lose it. It is naturally slow, so patience is the main requirement. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Seed is the standard and by far the most common method. The fine seed germinates on a warm, damp mineral surface and seedlings are grown on slowly over several years. The species only occasionally offsets, so division of clusters is possible but uncommon; some growers graft seedlings onto a vigorous rootstock to speed early growth before returning them to their own roots. See Propagation — seed and Propagation — offsets for details.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of loss, from overwatering, a mix that drains too slowly, or water sitting in the crown; the body softens and discolours from the base or top.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the body pale and pushes it upward, distorting its low, flat shape.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the woolly areoles, and root mealybugs at the taproot) and red spider mites are the main culprits. See Pests and diseases.
Legal status
Lophophora koehresii is a low-alkaloid species that contains little mescaline, in contrast to peyote (Lophophora williamsii). Nevertheless, the entire genus Lophophora is listed under CITES Appendix II, which governs international trade. In some countries the plants are also caught by broader legal restrictions aimed at peyote and mescaline-containing cacti, and rules vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another. Growers should check the regulations that apply where they live before acquiring, trading, or moving plants across borders. This article is a horticultural reference only.
See also
- Lophophora — the genus overview
- Lophophora williamsii · Lophophora diffusa
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Pests and diseases