Lophophora williamsii f. cristata

Lophophora williamsii f. cristata is a crested (fasciated) mutant form of peyote, in which the plant's normal single growing point is replaced by a wavy growing line, producing convoluted, brain-like glaucous mounds. Prized for their sculptural folds and blue-green colour, crested peyotes are among the most sought-after — and slowest-growing — of all crested cacti. Care follows the parent species, Lophophora williamsii.

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Description

Where a normal peyote grows as a low, ribbed, button-like dome, the crested form abandons that radial symmetry: the apical meristem elongates into a meandering ridge, so the body develops as a dense, folded crest of blue-grey to grey-green tissue. The surface keeps the soft, spineless, glaucous texture of the species, and the woolly areole tufts of the parent are drawn out along the winding crest line rather than dotted in neat rows.

Crested plants are typically grown on their own roots or on grafting stock, and their exact form varies from plant to plant — some make tight, tortuous brain cristates, others broad fan-shaped mounds. Fasciation is an unstable trait: a crested plant may throw normal (non-crested) growth, and cresting occasionally appears spontaneously on otherwise ordinary seedlings.

Cultivation

Culture is as for the parent species — see Lophophora williamsii for the full account, along with Soil and potting mix, Watering and Repotting. In short: a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix, bright light, cautious watering during the growing season and a dry winter rest. As with the species, overwatering and a slow-draining mix are the main causes of loss.

A few points are specific to the crested form. Because the folded crest traps moisture and debris in its crevices, it is even less forgiving of water sitting on the body; water at the roots and keep the crest dry, with good airflow to discourage rot. Crested peyotes are notably slow, so many are propagated and grown on by grafting onto a vigorous columnar rootstock (such as Myrtillocactus or Trichocereus), which speeds growth and helps maintain the crest; grafted plants can later be established on their own roots if desired. Give the plant strong light to keep the crest compact — in dim conditions it will etiolate. Any normal shoots that appear can be removed if you wish to keep the plant fully crested.

Legal status

As a form of Lophophora williamsii, the crested peyote is subject to the same legal controls as the species. In the United States, peyote — and the mescaline it contains — is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, so cultivation and possession are federally prohibited outside of narrow, specifically recognised exemptions (most notably the sacramental use of peyote by the Native American Church). Like all cacti, Lophophora is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade. Laws differ substantially from country to country, and the crested form is treated no differently from ordinary peyote under these rules. Growers are responsible for knowing and complying with the regulations that apply where they live.

This entry is horticultural reference only and offers no guidance on any use of the plant beyond cultivation as an ornamental specimen.

See also

• Lophophora williamsii — the parent species
• Lophophora — the genus overview
• Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases

References

Horticultural information for growing these plants as ornamentals. Always confirm plant identification and any handling, grafting, or safety advice against authoritative sources before acting.