Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a slow growing species of cactus native to Mexico and Southern Texas. This cactus is sacred to many Indigenous Mexican cultures who, for centuries, have used it for religious and ritualistic purpose. Peyote is now considered threatened or endangered in many areas due to overharvesting by tourists. The photo shows a Peyote cactus that has been regenerated from a mass of undifferentiated cells grown on a petri dish. Research is being conducted at the University of Guelph to quickly produce thousands of Peyote plants on petri dishes to facilitate re-introduction of Peyote to areas in which they have gone extinct. This research will help to revitalize native Peyote populations and support Indigenous Mexican cultures.
