Scientific Name
Lophophora williamsii
Common Name
Peyote, mescal, mescal buttons

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Cactaceae
Plant Description
Small, hemispherical, spineless, fleshy cactus; the low rounded sections bearing a tuft of yellow-white hairs at the summit; flower from the center of the plant, with many parts, white to rose-pink; fruit a pink berry when ripe.
Origin
Southwestern USA, Mexico.
Where Found
Plant not grown naturally in North Carolina; cultivated and imported as a narcotic.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Fresh or dried pieces of all parts above-ground ("peyote buttons").
Symptoms
Illusions, hallucinations, headache, pupil dilation, blurred vision, muscular relaxation, dizziness, circulatory depression, severy stomach pain with vomiting and diarrhea.
Toxic Principle
Alkaloids mescaline, lophophorine, and others.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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