Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a species of cactus native to Mexico and Southern Texas. This slow growing cactus is sacred to many Indigenous Mexican cultures and is now threatened or endangered in many areas due to overharvesting by tourists that use collection methods that ultimately result in plant death. The photo depicts a previously harvested Peyote plant that has regenerated due to a sustainable harvesting protocol that is currently being developed at the University of Guelph. Once published, this sustainable harvesting protocol will serve as a guideline for Peyote collection practices, allowing for fast regeneration of the collected specimens. Ultimately, this research will help to facilitate the revitalization of native Peyote populations and support Indigenous cultures that have used Peyote for centuries.
